084 : there … and it …

   A   

Study this example:

 

We use there ... when we talk about something for the first time, to say that it exists:

• There's a new restaurant in Hill Street. (not A new restaurant is in Hill Street)
• I'm sorry I'm late. There was a lot of traffic. (not It was a lot of traffic)
• Things are more expensive now. There has been a big rise in the cost of living.

 

It = a specific thing, place, fact, situation etc. (but see also section C):

• We went to the new restaurant. It's very good. (It = the restaurant)
• I wasn't expecting them to come. It was a complete surprise. (It = that they came)

 

Compare there and it:

• I don't like this town. There's nothing to do here. It's a boring place.

 

There also means 'to/at/in that place':

• When we got to the party, there were already a lot of people there (= at the party).

 

 

   B   

You can say there will be / there must be / there might be / there used to be etc. :

• Will you be busy tomorrow? Will there be much to do?
• 'Is there a flight to Rome tonight?'  'There might be. I'll check the website.'
• If people drove more carefully, there wouldn't be so many accidents.

 

Also  there must have been, there should have been etc.:

• I could hear music coming from the house. There must have been somebody at home.

 

Compare there and it:

• They live on a busy road. There must be a lot of noise from the traffic.
• They live on a busy road. It must be very noisy.
• There used to be a cinema here, but it closed a few years ago.
• That building is now a supermarket. It used to be a cinema.

 

You can also say there is sure / bound (= sure) / likely to be .... Compare there and it:

• There's sure to be a flight to Rome tonight. (or There's bound to be ... )
• There's a flight to Rome tonight, but it's sure to be full. (it = the flight)

 

 

   C   

We also use it in sentences like this:

• It's dangerous to walk in the road.

 

We do not usually say 'To walk in the road is dangerous'. Normally we begin with It ... .
Some more examples:

• It didn't take us long to get here.
• It's a shame (that) you can't come to the party.
• Let's go. It's not worth waiting any longer.

 

We also use it to talk about distance, time and weather:

• How far is it from here to the airport?
• What day is it today?
• It's a long time since we saw you last.
• It was windy yesterday. (but  There was a cold wind.)