Page 613 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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There is sure to be trouble when she gets his letter.
Do you think there's likely to be snow?
Infinitives (there to be) and -ing forms (there being) are also used.
I don't want there to be any more trouble.
What's the chance of there being an election this year?
other verbs
In a formal or literary style, some other verbs can be used with there besides be. These are mostly verbs which refer to states or arrivals.
In a small town in Germany there once lived a poor shoemaker. There remains nothing more to be done.
Suddenly there entered a strange figure dressed all in black. There followed an uncomfortable silence.
definite subjects
There is not normally used in a sentence with a definite subject (e.g. a noun with a definite article. or a proper name).
The door was open. (NOT TheFe WfJ3 the doBF B1'en.)
James was at the party. (NOT T.'teFe wfJ31ames ttt the f'ltl'fy.)
One exception to this is when we simply name people or things, in order to draw attention to a possible solution to a problem.
Who could we ask?- Well, there's James, or Miranda, or Ann, or Sue, ...
Where can he sleep?- Well, there's always the attic.
Another apparent exception is in stories that begin There was this ..., when this has an indefinite sense.
There was this man, see, and he couldn't get up in the mornings. So he ... think
'have an opinion': not progressive
When think is used for opinions, progressive forms are unusual.
I don't think much ofhis latest book. (NOT Pm nB' ,hinkil'tfi mftch.. .) Who do you think will win the election? (NOT WhB ttYe ytlft thin1eing ...?)
other meanings: progressive possible
When think has other meanings (e.g. consider or plan) progressives are possible.
You're looking worried. What are you thinking about? (NOT . . . What do ytlft think ttbBftt?)
I'm thinking ofchanging my job.
-ing forms
After think. -ing forms can be used, but infinitives are not usually possible unless there is an object (see paragraph 4 below).
She's thinking o/going to university next year. (NOT She's thinking IB gB . ..J However, think + infinitive can be used when we talk about remembering to do something, or having the good sense to do something.
Did you think to close the windows when it started raining? •
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