Unit 61: EMPTY SUBJECTS

Every sentence must have a subject (Unit 1), but sometimes the subject does not mean anything.

There

We do not usually put new information at the beginning of a sentence.

So instead of [1]: the first sentence, we can write [2]: the second sentence.

[1] A toilet is plugged.
[2] There is a plugged toilet.

[1] Some toys were stuck in the toilet.
[2] There were some toys stuck in the toilet.

[1] A plumber has been called.
[2] There has been a plumber called.

[1] A mess has been made.
[2] There will now be a mess.

[1] Is a mop near here?
[2] Is there a mop near here?

[1] A lot of work is to be done.
[2] There is a lot of work to do.

[1] We were six there.
[2] There were six of us there.

NOTICE: After there, the verb is be.

If we want to describe an activity or an event, we often use it as an empty subject.

So instead of [1]: the first sentence, we can write [2]: the second sentence.

[1] Trying to fix your own toilet is disastrous.
[2] It is disastrous to try and fix your own toilet.

[1] Calling a plumber was a good idea.
[2] It was a good idea to call a plumber.

[1] Paying the plumber is a little painful.
[2] It is a little painful to pay the plumber.

[1] Having a fixed toilet is great!
[2] It is great to have a fixed toilet.

[1] Studying plumbing would be a wise choice.
[2] It would be a wise choice to study plumbing.