Page 612 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

I don't know how many people there are in the waiting room. (NOT •• •-htntI many fHN'1'le fltet'e is ...)
However, there's can begin sentences with plural subjects in informal speech. There's two policemen at the door, Dad.
There's some grapes in the fridge, ifyou're still hungry.
2 indefinite subjects
We use there in this way particularly with subjects that have indefinite articles, no article, or indefinite determiners like some, any, no; and with indefinite pronouns like somebody, nothing.
There are some people outside.
There were no footsteps to be seen. Is there anybody at home? There was dancing in the streets. There's something worrying me.
Note the use of wrong and the matter (see 585).
There's something wrong. Is there anything the matter?
Note also the structures with sense, point, use (see 57) and need. There's no sense in making him angry.
Is there any point in talking about it again?
Do you think there's any use trying to explain? There'snoneedto hurry- we'vegotplentyoftime.
3 all tenses
There can be used in this way with all tenses of be. Once upon a time there were three wicked brothers. There has never been anybody like you.
There wiU be snow on high ground.
And there can be used in question tags (see 488.4). There'll be enough for everybody, won't there?
4 structures with auxiliary be
There can also be used in structures where be is a progressive or passive auxiliary. Note the word order.
There was a girl water-skiing on the lake. (= A girl was water-skiing ...) (NOT There ItItIS ItJtt;ter skiing a girl . ..)
There have been more Americans killed in road accidents than in all the wars since 1900. (= More Americans have been killed ...)
(NOT There have been killetl ffl6Fe >'lmel'ietins. ..)
There'll be somebody meeting you at the airport.
S more complex structures
There can be used with modal verb + be, and with some other verbs (e.g. seem, appear, happen, tend) before to be.
There might be drinks ifyou wait for a bit. There must be somebody at home - ring again.
1/the police hadn't closed the road there could have been a bad accident. There seem to be some problems. (NOT Thet'e seeffl3 16 be ...)
Could you be quiet? There happens to be a lecture going on.
There tends to be jealousy when a new little brother or sister comes along.
Note also the structure there is certainIsurellikelylbound to be.
there is 587
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