Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 84 · B1

there ... and it ...

There introduces something for the first time and says it exists; it refers to a specific thing, fact or situation. There combines with modals (there must be, there's bound to be), and it opens sentences about distance, time, weather and judgements.

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 31 minutes

In this lesson

there for something new; it for something specificA5 screens of questions
there will be, there must be, there's bound to beB2 screens of questions
It at the start: it's dangerous to ...C1 screen of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

there for something new; it for something specific

"There's a new chippy on Moor Lane." "I know. I've heard it's very good."

Use there to mention something for the first time and say that it exists. Use it for a specific thing, place, fact or situation already known.

There can also mean to, at or in that place.

  • There's a new chippy on Moor Lane.
  • Sorry we're late. There were roadworks on the bypass. (not It were roadworks)
  • Everything costs more now. There's been a huge rise in prices.
  • We tried the new chippy. It's very good. (it = the chippy)
  • I never thought she'd say yes. It was a lovely shock. (it = that she said yes)
  • I like this town. There's plenty to do. It's a lively place.
  • The house is empty. There's nobody living there.

Point A · Exercise 84.1 · part 1 of 3

Put in there is, there was, it is or it was, in the right form. Some are questions and some are negative.

  1. Example

    The journey took ages. There was a lot of traffic.

    AnswerThe journey took ages. There was a lot of traffic.

  2. Example

    What's the new café like? Is it good?

    AnswerWhat's the new café like? Is it good?

  3. something wrong with the dishwasher. It's not draining.

  4. I wanted to go round the castle yesterday, but enough time.

  5. What's that new building by the roundabout? a hotel?

  6. We need to cross the motorway. a footbridge?

Point A · Exercise 84.1 · part 2 of 3

Put in there is, there was, it is or it was, in the right form. Some are questions and some are negative.

  1. Last week a huge storm, which brought down power lines.

  2. Where's my wallet? on the table. I've just checked.

  3. anything decent on telly, so I switched it off.

  4. usually windy on this coast, but much rain in summer.

Point A · Exercise 84.1 · part 3 of 3

Put in there is, there was, it is or it was, in the right form. Some are questions and some are negative.

  1. I couldn't see a thing. pitch black.

  2. " a launderette near here?" "Yes, one on Station Road."

  3. hard to find work round here right now. a lot of unemployment.

  4. When we reached the museum, a crowd at the entrance. an enormous crowd, so we came back the next day.

Point A · Exercise 84.2 · part 1 of 2

Read the first sentence, then write a sentence beginning There ... .

  1. Example

    The roads were very busy yesterday. There was a lot of traffic.

    AnswerThere was a lot of traffic.

  2. This soup is very salty. There in the soup.

  3. The box was empty. There in the box.

  4. About forty people came to the parish meeting. There at the meeting.

  5. The film is extremely violent. There in the film.

Point A · Exercise 84.2 · part 2 of 2

Read the first sentence, then write a sentence beginning There ... .

  1. I like this town. It's lively. There .

Point B of 3

there will be, there must be, there's bound to be

There combines with modals and similar phrases: there will be, there must be, there might be, there must have been, there should have been, there would have been, there is sure to be, there is bound to be, there is likely to be, there is going to be, there is supposed to be, there used to be.

Compare there with it: there introduces; it refers.

  • "Is there a ferry to Mull tonight?" "There might be. I'll check."
  • If cyclists had proper lanes, there wouldn't be so many crashes.
  • I could hear the telly. There must have been somebody in.
  • There's bound to be a cashpoint somewhere round here.
  • Their flat is right above a pub. There must be quite a racket at weekends.
  • They live on a main road. It must be very noisy.
  • There used to be a bakery on this corner, but it shut years ago.
  • That building's a gym now. It used to be a cinema.
  • There's a ferry tonight, but it's sure to be packed.

Point B · Exercise 84.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with there and one of these: won't, may, would, wouldn't, should, used to, is going to.

Use these

won'tmaywouldwouldn'tshouldused tois going to

  1. Example

    If cyclists had proper lanes, there would be fewer crashes.

    AnswerIf cyclists had proper lanes, there would be fewer crashes.

  2. "Have we got any eggs?" "I'm not sure. be some in the fridge."

  3. I think it'll all be fine. be any problems.

  4. Look at those clouds. be a storm. I'm sure of it.

  5. There isn't a post office in the village. be one, but it shut years ago.

Point B · Exercise 84.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with there and one of these: won't, may, would, wouldn't, should, used to, is going to.

Use these

won'tmaywouldwouldn'tshouldused tois going to

  1. People fly down this lane. I think be a speed limit.

  2. If people weren't so aggressive, be any wars.

Point C of 3

It at the start: it's dangerous to ...

English prefers It's risky to cycle without lights, not To cycle without lights is risky. Sentences like this usually open with It ....

it also covers distance, time and weather. Set It was windy beside There was a cold wind.

  • It's risky to cycle without lights at night.
  • It only took us twenty minutes to walk here.
  • It's a shame you can't come to the party.
  • It's not worth queuing for. Let's come back later.
  • How far is it from the campsite to the beach?
  • It's ages since we last had a proper chat.
  • It was windy.
  • There was a cold wind.

Point C · Extra practice

Begin each sentence with It.

  1. dangerous to cycle without lights.

  2. took us twenty minutes to walk here.

  3. a shame you can't come.

Put it together · Exercise 84.4 · part 1 of 3

Are these sentences right? Write OK, or change it to there where necessary and write the correct sentence.

  1. Example

    Their flat is right above a pub. It must be quite a racket at weekends.

    Their flat is right above a pub. There must be quite a racket at weekends.

    AnswerTheir flat is right above a pub. There must be quite a racket at weekends.

  2. Example

    It's quite a walk from the campsite to the village.

    OK

    AnswerIt's quite a walk from the campsite to the village.

  3. After the talk it will be a chance to ask questions.

  4. Why was she so off with me? It must have been a reason.

  5. My town is fine, but it would be lovely to live in the mountains.

  6. How long is it since you had a proper holiday?

Put it together · Exercise 84.4 · part 2 of 3

Are these sentences right? Write OK, or change it to there where necessary and write the correct sentence.

  1. It used to be loads of fishing boats in the harbour, but there are only two now.

  2. The laptop won't connect. It's no wifi in this room.

  3. It was Mum's sixtieth on Sunday. We booked a table at her favourite restaurant.

  4. Don't worry about food. It's bound to be a café on the way.

Put it together · Exercise 84.4 · part 3 of 3

Are these sentences right? Write OK, or change it to there where necessary and write the correct sentence.

  1. Sorry about the mix-up. It was entirely my mistake.

  2. They promised it would be a guide waiting for us at the airport, but it wasn't anyone.

Lesson 84 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: some and anyBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. there for something new; it for something specific–Not checkedB. there will be, there must be, there's bound to be–Not checkedC. It at the start: it's dangerous to ...–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked