there
There has two main uses. You use it in front of a verb such as be, or you use it as an adverb to refer to a place.
used in front of ‘be’
You use there in front of be to say that something exists or happens, or that something is in a particular place. When there is used like this, it is usually pronounced /ðe/ or /ðə/. In slow or careful speech, it is pronounced /ðeə/.
There must be a reason.
There was a new cushion on one of the sofas.
After there, you use a singular form of be in front of a singular noun phrase, and a plural form in front of a plural noun phrase.
There is a fire on the fourth floor.
There are several problems with this method.
In conversation, some people use there's in front of a plural noun phrase. For example, they say ‘There’s several problems with this method'. This use is generally regarded as incorrect, and you shouldn't use it in formal speech or in writing.
Be careful
Don't use ‘there is’ or ‘there are’ with since to say how long ago something happened. Don't say, for example, ‘There are four days since she arrived in London’. Say ‘It’s four days since she arrived in London' or ‘She arrived in London four days ago’.
Don't use ‘there is’ or ‘there are’ with since to say how long ago something happened. Don't say, for example, ‘There are four days since she arrived in London’. Say ‘It’s four days since she arrived in London' or ‘She arrived in London four days ago’.
It's three months since you were here last.
Her husband died four years ago.
used as an adverb
In its other main use, there is used for referring to a place which has just been mentioned. When there is used like this, it is always pronounced /ðeə/.
I must get home. Bill's there on his own.
Come into the kitchen. I spend most of my time there now.
Be careful
Don't use ‘to’ in front of there. Don't say, for example, ‘I like going to there’. Say ‘I like going there’.
Don't use ‘to’ in front of there. Don't say, for example, ‘I like going to there’. Say ‘I like going there’.
My family live in India. I still go there often.
Be careful
Also, don't use ‘there’ to introduce a subordinate clause. Don't say, for example, ‘I went back to the park, there my sister was waiting’. Say ‘I went back to the park, where my sister was waiting’.
Also, don't use ‘there’ to introduce a subordinate clause. Don't say, for example, ‘I went back to the park, there my sister was waiting’. Say ‘I went back to the park, where my sister was waiting’.
The accident took place in Oxford, where he and his wife lived.
‘their’
Don't confuse there with their, which is also pronounced /ðeə/. You use their to show that something belongs or relates to particular people, animals, or things.
I looked at their faces.
What would they do when they lost their jobs?