Topic 11

Topic 11                  There be [ S ]  -----------------

We use this structure when we mention something for the first time.

(be =  is /are /was /were)

([S] = the subject)

                         F1             F3                        

                         is             was    

                         are           were  

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           There is / was [Singular Subject]  ----------------------------------

           There are /were [Plural Subject]  -----------------------------------

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The Singular subject is a singular noun with one in number or uncountable noun.  The Plural subject is a plural noun.

The subject decides whether we have to use a singular verb or plural  verb. A Singular Subject is followed by a Singular Verb ‘is / was’.  A Plural Subject is followed by a Plural Verb ‘are /were’.)

A Singular Subject takes a Singular Verb ‘is /was’ and a Plural Subject takes a Plural Verb ‘are /were’.

The time expressions decide whether we have to use Simple Present Tense or Simple Past Tense.

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     There is /are /was /were [S]------------------------------------ (+)

     There is /are /was /were not [S]------------------------------  ( - )

      Is /Are / Was / Were there [S]  ------------------------------  ( ? )

Always put ‘not’ after ‘is /are /was /were’ to form Negative Statements.)

(Always put ‘Is /Are /Was /Were’ before ‘there’ to form Questions / Interrogative.                        

       There  is [a computer] on the desk.  

        The computer is new.

        There are [many toys] in the box.

        The toys are lovely.

        There was [a watch] on the desk just now.

         The watch belongs to Jack.

         There were [many children] in the park yesterday evening.  

         The children were running and shouting loudly.

                                                                                                  (32)

Topic 11               There be [S]                                                   

Exercise 61

Fill in the blanks with ‘is / are’.

1.  There ________ some children playing in the park.

2.  There ________ a bat flying about us.

3.  There ________ a peacock in the shed.

4.  There ________ some horses in the stable.

5.  There ________ some water in the pail.

6.  There _________a radio in the sitting room.

7.  There  _________many geese on the farm.

8.  There  _________an umbrella outside the classroom.

9.  There  _________some rice in the cooker.

10. There  __________some sweets in the tin.

Exercise 62

Fill in the blanks with ‘was / were’.

1.  There  _________some rain in the morning yesterday.

2.  There  _________some toys in the box this morning.

3.  There  _________a gardener in this school last year.

4.  There  _________many flowers in the garden last year.

5.  There  _________a pavilion here a few years ago.

6.  There  _________some tadpoles in the drain a few days ago.

7.  There  _________some sand in my shoes just now.

8.  There  _________ an electric pole here last month.

9.  There  __________some huts there a few months ago.

10. There  _________many ducks on the farm last year.

Exercise 63

Rewrite the following statements in the Negative form.  ( some----- any)

1.  There is a round table in the kitchen.

     __________________________________________________________

2.  There were some feathers on the ground this morning. 

     __________________________________________________________

3.  There are some puppies in the kennel.

     __________________________________________________________

4.  There was a toad in the pond a few days ago.

     __________________________________________________________

5.  There is a pin on the floor.

     __________________________________________________________

6.  There were some dollar notes in the drawer.

     __________________________________________________________

7.  There are some pupils in the library now.

     ______________________________________________________(33)

Exercise 64                                                                               

Rewrite the following statements in the Question form.  (some --à any)

1.  There were some difficult words in the book.

     __________________________________________________________

2.  There are some funny jokes in the story.

     __________________________________________________________

3.  There is a security guard at the gate.

     __________________________________________________________

4.  There was a telephone booth near the bank last year.

     __________________________________________________________

5.  There were some gangsters roaming here last week.

     __________________________________________________________

6.  There is a bus going to Sarikei at 10 o’clock.

     __________________________________________________________

Exercise 65

Fill in the blanks with ‘is / are / was / were’.

1.  There _________ a parrot here last week.

2.  There _________ some juice in the jug now.

3.  There _________ some stickers on the desk this morning.

4.  There _________ many marbles in the box now.

5.  Look!  There _________ some cockroaches in the cupboard.

6.  There _________some cream on his shirt just now.

7.  There _________an aerial on the roof.   It is a small one.

8.  There _________ many durians for sales last year.

9.  There _________  some compact disks on the shelf.  They belong to

     my brother.

10. There _________ some dirt on the stairs.  Clean it now.

Exercise 66

Fill in the blanks with ‘is / are / was / were’.

1.  There _________ some grasshoppers in the garden now.

2.  There _________ some oil in the bottle.  We have to buy oil again.

3.  There _________ some work for us to do yesterday.

4.  There _________ many people in the shopping mall last Thursday.

5.  There _________ little rain the day before yesterday.

6.  There _________ some dust on the desk this morning.

7.  There ________ many beetles in the bushes.  Let catch some of them.

8.  There _________ many clothes in the laundry basket yesterday.

9.  There _________ an insect in the bowl.  It is a lady-bug.

10. There _________ some roses in the garden last month.