EXISTENCE and QUALITY
THERE IS + noun (or substitute) IT IS + adjective (or adverb)
- If the subject of the verb to be - a noun - represents If the subject of the verb to be is an infinitive a phrase
an indefinite (group of) person(s) or thing(s),we or a clause,we usually use it is to introduce it, and an
usually introduce it with there, placed before the verb adjective to qualify it ;
(but the verb agrees in number with the real subject);
This construction is used only when the verb to be as this construction is used in order to give some
means to exist (therefore it cannot be used in general information about the subject,not to denote existence;
statements as "Computer are useful" or "Mosquitoes
are a nuisance", which are qualifications e.g.: It is advisable to ask when you don't know.
It is not known who was responsible for the
there may also be used,though less frequently,with damage.
several other verbs: to appear,to arise,to remain. Wouldn't it be easier this way?
It's was not clear why (he chose to do so).
e.g.: There was no shortage of water but there were It was not polite to insist so much.
other shortcomings. It's incredible how she could persuade you.
There is a picture on at the Scala which is It will be tiring to do such routine work only.
really worth seeing. It is certain that this time they will succeed.
There are hard times ahead of us. It is obvious that they have been wrong.
There will be many who will object to it surprising;
There should be one we can afford buying. the idiomatic phrases it's a pity, it's a shame, it's a
If there was a cataclysm there wouldn't be wonder convey the same idea of quality, i.e.: it's
much left of our flourishing civilisation. regrettable, it's shameful, it's incredible/surprising;
COMPARE
Perhaps there are wonders,but I do not believe It's a wonder that she managed not to spill it.
in them.(= wonders may exist) (= it's surprising)
There will arise some doubts concerning the It's doubtful thatthey could obtain these result
validy of their conclusion. in only two months.
There remained posibilities yet unexplored. It's possible to make further investigations.
There's nothing unusual in their wishing to have It's most unusual not to consider the consequences
a better life. before making a decision
If, in order to avoid repetition, we replace the
subject - previonsly mentioned - by it, the quality
may be expressed by either it is + adjective or
it is + noun .
There must be some truth in what she says. It must be true.
There always appear unexpected difficulties. It appears to be difficult,indeed.
There shouldn't be any difference between them. It should be different from the other.
WEATHER , DISTANCE , WEIGHT & TIME
it is and / or there is
The impersonal expressions of Weather, Distance,
Weight & Time are introduced with it
is. In some case there is /are
may also be used, but it does not convey the same idea :
WEATHER : It's fine today, isn't it?
Yes, it's neither cold nor wet. I
hope it's
not raining.
It was rainy last summer. I hear there were heavy rains in the highlands.
Last night it was windy in the south. There was a strong wind all along the coast.
In their country it is frosty in winter. Sometimes there are hard frost here,too.
It's rather foggy. They say there will be fog tomorrow, too.
noise/ noisy have nothing to do with the weather, but the way we use them is similar,
It's too noisy here, let's go upstairs. There's much noise in here.
This rules does not keep in the case of :
It's rather stuffy. =/= There's much stuff.
DISTANCE :
Is it
so near
that we can walk?
No, it's even farther than you imagine.
How far is it? A (nother) way exists
It's a two miles'drive. There's another six miles'drive to the west.
It's a short way from my house to There's shorter way too, but I'm afraid I don't
the University. know it.
It's a long way from here to the station. There's a longer way - less uninteresting, it's
true - but now we are in a hurry.
WEIGHT :
How heavy is it? What is there?
It's a ten tons'weight, too heavy for this lorry. There's a ten tons weight in the cargo - hold.
It's not more than five kgs, I can lift it myself. There are five kgs more to be brought in.
TIME :
" What time is it ? " "It isn't late, it's a quarter to nine
It's (a) long (time) since we
haven't played tennis together.
It's time to / for = the proper time has come to/for There's time to/for = we have enough
time (to/for) ; enough time exists.
Don't you think it's time for coffee ? There will be time for coffee, as I've already made it.
It's time to go to bed. There is time to finish it befor you go to bed.
this construction is used for statements concerning in this construction it becomes clear who has
all the / some of the persons involved, time, from the context.
when the statement concerns someone in particular,
the predicate of the 2nd subject is a Subjonctive:
It's time she took up English.
It's time you finished it; you've been reading it for ages.
|
