Page 611 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

5 relative structures
We can usually leave out the relative pronoun that when it is the object in a relative clause (see 495).
Look! There are the people (that) we met in Brighton. Do it the way (that) I showed you.
585 the matter (with)
We use the matter (with) after something, anything, nothing and what. It means 'wrong (with)'.
Something's the matter with my foot.
Is anything the matter?
Nothing's the matter with the car - you're just a bad driver. What's the matter with Frank today?
There is often used as a 'preparatory subject' (see 587). There's something the matter with the Tv.
Is there anything the matter?
For no matter what etc, see 378
586 there
The spelling there is used for two words with completely different pronunciations and uses.
1 adverb of place
There (pronounced /Oea(r)/) is an adverb meaning 'in that place'. What's that green thing over there?
There's the book I was looking for.
For the difference between here and there. see 245.
2 introductory subject
There (most often pronounced /Oa(r)/) is used as an introductory subject in sentences beginning there is, there are, there might be etc. For details, see 587.
There's a book under the piano.
587 there is 1 use
In sentences which say that something exists (or does not exist) somewhere, we usually use there as a kind of preparatory subject, and put the real subject after the verb. Note the pronunciation of there: usually /Oa(r)/, not /Oea(r)/.
There's a hole in my tights. (More natural than A hole is in my tights.)
There's ice on the lake. (More natural than Ice is on the lake.) It cannot be used in this way.
There is a lot ofnoise in the street. (NOT It is a wtfJ/nBise in the street.) There are is used with plural subjects.
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there is 587
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