Grammar 2 The Second Semester Introductory It & There Presented by Dr. Mohamed Sha’at

Objectives of the Session Students are expected to: -Use the introductory it &there correctly. -Complete some sentences with correct pronouns. -Form structures using correct possessive pronouns.

Introductory There In English, existence is usually indicated by the structure there + to be. ‘There’ is actually an adverb of place, but the introductory ‘there’ has no adverbial sense. It is merely used to introduce the sentence. 1- There are two people in the room. (More natural than ‘Two people are in the room’.) 2- There’s a football match every Saturday. 3- There is a bridge over the river. 4- There have been many such rumors. Note that ‘there’ can be used in the peculiar structure – no + gerund, which indicates impossibility. 5- There is no denying the fact that he stole the watch..

With plural subjects we use there are. 1- There were many accidents last year. Note that there is also common before plural subjects in informal speech. 2- There is some apples in the fridge. OR There are some apples in the fridge. Introductory there can also be used with some intransitive verbs. 3-There seems to be a problem. 4-There came a knock at the door. 5- There grew a warm friendship between the two. 6- There spread a rumor that he had been killed. Note that introductory ‘there’ is not used in a sentence if there is a definite subject in that sentence. 7- John was at the party. NOT : There was John at the party.

Introductory it When the subject is an infinitive phrase, the sentence often begins with it. Instead of saying: - To find fault with others is easy. we say: - It is easy to find fault with others. More examples are given below. 1- It is easy to learn English. (More natural than ‘To learn English is easy’.) 2- It was not easy to understand his motive. 3- It may be advisable to consult a specialist. 4- It could be dangerous to drive so fast. 4- It was pleasant to sit on the beach.

Note that when we want to emphasize the infinitive phrase, it may be put at the beginning especially if it is short. Consider the following examples: 1- To err is human. 2- To withdraw now will be sheer folly: Note the structures with look, seem and appear. Look + as if + subject + verb/ like +noun phrase. - It looks as if Ali has won. - She looks like a real champion. Seem/ appear + (that) + subject + verb. - It seems (that) the Brazilians are going to win. - It appears (that) one of the customers called the police.

When the subject of the sentence is a clause, the sentence usually begins with it. Instead of saying ‘That she was once a famous artist is true’, we may say, ‘’ It is true that she was once a famous artist. Consider the following examples: 1- It does not matter whether he comes or not. = Whether he comes or not does not matter. 2- It is doubtful whether he can pay the dues. = Whether he can pay the dues is doubtful. 3- It cannot be denied that the doctors did their best to save his life. = That the doctors did their best to save his life cannot be denied.

The pronoun it can be used to refer to something already mentioned. 1- There is a shop at the end of the street. It is open every day. Note the difference between ‘it’s & its’: 2- I like this hotel. It’s (=It is) very comfortable. 3- The hotel has got a lovely swimming pool and its restaurant is good. ( its = a possessive form) Note that they’re = they are, and their = the possessive form of they. 4- Ali and Ahmed are friends. They’re wearing the same suit. Ask them to leave their coats in the hall.

Now it’s your role to do the exercises p. 115 Good Luck.

Polling How can you grade this meeting? A = excellent, B = very good, C = good or D = fair.

Dr. Mohammed Sha’at