there was/were, there has/have been, there will be: start
In this lesson
Point A of 3
there was / there were (past)
there is / there are is the present. there was / there were is the past.
It is 10.20 now. There is a bus every half an hour. There was a bus at ten o'clock, and it left without you.
| there is / are (present) | there was / were (past) |
|---|---|
| There's a quiz at the pub tonight. | There was a quiz at the pub last night. |
| We're in a huge campsite. There are 400 tents. | We stayed in a huge campsite. There were 400 tents. |
| Are there any parcels for me today? | Were there any parcels for me yesterday? |
| I'm thirsty but there isn't anything to drink. | I was thirsty but there wasn't anything to drink. |
- There was a quiz at the pub last night.
- We stayed in a huge campsite. There were 400 tents.
- Were there any parcels for me yesterday?
- When I got back from work, I was starving but there wasn't anything in the fridge.
Point A · Exercise 38.1 · part 1 of 2
Last week this living room was full of things. Now it is completely empty, because the tenants have moved out. Write what was there last week, with There was ... or There were ... and the words in the list.
Use these
a bookcasea coffee tablea lampa mirrora rugsome cushionssome plantstwo posters
Example
Last week a mirror hung on the wall above the fireplace.
There was a mirror on the wall above the fireplace.
AnswerThere was a mirror on the wall above the fireplace.Last week a rug lay on the floor.
on the floor.
AnswerThere was a rug on the floor.Last week some plants stood by the window.
by the window.
AnswerThere were some plants by the window.Last week a bookcase stood against the back wall.
against the back wall.
AnswerThere was a bookcase against the back wall.Last week some cushions sat on the window seat.
on the window seat.
AnswerThere were some cushions on the window seat.
Point A · Exercise 38.1 · part 2 of 2
Last week this living room was full of things. Now it is completely empty, because the tenants have moved out. Write what was there last week, with There was ... or There were ... and the words in the list.
Use these
a bookcasea coffee tablea lampa mirrora rugsome cushionssome plantstwo posters
Last week a lamp stood on the coffee table.
on the coffee table.
AnswerThere was a lamp on the coffee table.Last week two posters hung on the wall near the door.
on the wall near the door.
AnswerThere were two posters on the wall near the door.Last week a coffee table stood in the middle of the room.
in the middle of the room.
AnswerThere was a coffee table in the middle of the room.
Point A · Exercise 38.2 · part 1 of 2
Put in there was / there wasn't / was there / there were / there weren't / were there.
Example
I was thirsty but there wasn't anything to drink.
AnswerI was thirsty but there wasn't anything to drink.Example
Were there any phone calls for me this morning?
AnswerWere there any phone calls for me this morning?a good programme about whales on the radio last night. Did you hear it?
AnswerThere was a good programme about whales on the radio last night. Did you hear it?"We stayed in a lovely cottage in Wales." "Did you? a garden?"
Answer"We stayed in a lovely cottage in Wales." "Did you? Was there a garden?""Did you get any bananas?" "No, any in the shop."
Answer"Did you get any bananas?" "No, there weren't any in the shop."The fridge was empty. any food in it at all.
AnswerThe fridge was empty. There wasn't any food in it at all.
Point A · Exercise 38.2 · part 2 of 2
Put in there was / there wasn't / was there / there were / there weren't / were there.
" many people at the bus stop?" "No, just two."
Answer"Were there many people at the bus stop?" "No, just two."We didn't go round the castle. enough time.
AnswerWe didn't go round the castle. There wasn't enough time.Sorry I'm late. an accident on the motorway.
AnswerSorry I'm late. There was an accident on the motorway.Thirty years ago many cafés in this town. Now there are dozens.
AnswerThirty years ago there weren't many cafés in this town. Now there are dozens.
Point B of 3
there has been / there have been (present perfect)
Use there has been (there's been) for one thing and there have been for more than one. The thing happened in the past, and we are talking about it from now.
Compare there was. With a finished time such as last night or on Monday, use the past simple.
There was a break-in on our street last night. (not There has been a break-in last night.)
- Look at all that glass! There's been an accident.
- This corner is dangerous. There have been a lot of accidents here.
- There was a break-in on our street last night.
Point B · Extra practice
Complete each sentence with there has been or there have been.
a lot of rain this week.
AnswerThere's been a lot of rain this week.three accidents on this road this year.
AnswerThere have been three accidents on this road this year.Look at the mess! a party here.
AnswerLook at the mess! There's been a party here.
Point C of 3
there will be (future)
Use there will be for the future. The negative is there will not be, almost always said as there won't be.
- Do you think there'll be many people at the bonfire on Saturday?
- Our head teacher is retiring, so there'll be a new one in September.
- I'll iron my shirt tonight. There won't be time in the morning.
Point C · Extra practice
Complete each sentence with there will be or there won't be.
a meeting at nine tomorrow.
AnswerThere'll be a meeting at nine tomorrow.Don't worry. plenty of food at the party.
AnswerDon't worry. There'll be plenty of food at the party.The baker's is closed on Monday, so any fresh bread.
AnswerThe baker's is closed on Monday, so there won't be any fresh bread.
Put it together · Exercise 38.3 · part 1 of 3
Put in there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be.
Example
There was a brilliant concert in the park last Saturday.
AnswerThere was a brilliant concert in the park last Saturday.thirty-one days in March.
AnswerThere are thirty-one days in March.a quiz at the pub last Thursday but I didn't go.
AnswerThere was a quiz at the pub last Thursday but I didn't go."Where can I get a coffee?" " a café round the corner."
Answer"Where can I get a coffee?" "There's a café round the corner.""Why are those fire engines outside the library?" " a fire."
Answer"Why are those fire engines outside the library?" "There's been a fire."
Put it together · Exercise 38.3 · part 2 of 3
Put in there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be.
When we got to the post office, a long queue.
AnswerWhen we got to the post office, there was a long queue.When you get to the hotel tomorrow, somebody at reception to give you a key.
AnswerWhen you get to the hotel tomorrow, there'll be somebody at reception to give you a key.Fifteen years ago 300 people in the village. Now nearly a thousand.
AnswerFifteen years ago there were 300 people in the village. Now there are nearly a thousand.I visited my home town last summer. I hardly recognised it. so many changes.
AnswerI visited my home town last summer. I hardly recognised it. There have been so many changes.
Put it together · Exercise 38.3 · part 3 of 3
Put in there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be.
Don't worry about the weather on Sunday. I don't think any rain.
AnswerDon't worry about the weather on Sunday. I don't think there'll be any rain.
Lesson 38 · Result
How you did
Complete
–Right