by R. S. Karunaratne

How to use 'there' and 'it'

There

When we talk about something or someone for the first time, we use 'there' usually at the beginning of a sentence.

Sometimes, 'there' is used to indicate that some event exists. 'There' can also be used to ask questions.

There's a new hotel in Bailey Street.

I got late to office today. There was a lot of traffic.

There is a train on platform five.

There are people who cannot read or write English.

There also means 'to, at, in that place.'

Bank of Ceylon has opened a new branch at Panadura. I went there yesterday. (= to the bank)

When we went to the park, a lot of children were playing there. (at the park)

Other uses of there:

Will there be trees in the world at the rate we are cutting them down?

Is there a vacant seat over there?

There might be trouble in the city.

If they studied well, there wouldn't be so many failures.

There used to be a school here, but it closed a few months ago.

There is no easy method of passing examinations.

After the accident there was blood all over the place.

It

It is a pronoun that refers to a thing, situation or place that has been mentioned or is understood.

What's that? It's my new laptop.

I like bittergourd, even though it's bitter.

It can be used to refer to an impersonal subject or object or to talk about the weather, the day or date.

It's raining cats and dogs!

It's a nice day. Shall we go for a walk?

It's Friday the 24th.

It's strange you've failed the exam.

I hate it when people disturb me during lunch.

It rains a lot in the western province.

It's another five minutes' walk to office.

It looks as if the people are ready to wipe out the underworld.

It appears that the director is retiring.

It's nice having meals under a tree!

It doesn't matter if you can't come with me.

It is used to report what people are saying.

It is not known whether Cuban experts are coming tomorrow.

It was reported that a mother and her two children had jumped into a well.

Other uses:

It is a pleasure to see you

again.

Open the door. It's me.

How far is it to Lake House?

In column 'A' you will find a number of words denoting places. In column 'B' there are single

words denoting places. Match them and check your answers with the key.

Column A 							Column B 
01. The resting place of a wild animal 				A. laboratory 
02. The house or bed of a hare					B. archives 
03. A nest of a bird of prey 					C. library 
04. A place where medicines are compounded 			D. hostel 
05. A place for the treatment of sick people			E. gallery 
06. A residence for monks or priests 				F. inn 
07. A place where butter and cheese are made			G. hanger 
08. A place where bread is made					H. garage 
09. A place where animals are slaughtered 			I. laundry 
10. A factory for manufacturing beer				J. distillery 
11. A place where liquor is produced 				K. brewery 
12. A place where clothes are cleaned				L. abattoir 
13. A place where a car is kept 				M. bakery 
14. A place where planes are kept 				N. dairy 
15. A place where travellers stay 				O. monastery 
16. The kitchen of a ship 					P. hospital 
17. A residence for students 					Q. dispensary 
18. A place where books are kept 				R. eyrie/aerie 
19. A place where Government records are kept			S. form 
20. A place where scientific experiments are conducted 		T. lair 

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Key: 1.T, 2.S, 3.R, 4.Q, 5.P, 6.O, 7.N, 8.M, 9.L, 10.K, 11.J, 12.I, 13.H, 14.G,

15.F, 16.E, 17.D, 18.C, 19.B, 20.A

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Modern English usage:

Each and Every

Many beginners use the words each and every indiscriminately. However, they are not synonymous.

Use each for any number of people or things considered separately.

Each computer is carefully checked before sale.

Each child in the class was given a pencil.

Maya had a birthmark on each cheek.

We have three bedrooms each with its own bathroom.

My sister has two girls and I have got one of each.

(= one son and one daughter)

Father gave a toffee to each of his children.

My daughter and I each have our own bank accounts.

Use every for any number considered together.

Every essay was marked by the teacher. (= all the essays were marked)

Every student in the class was given a big cake. (= they were all given one big cake)

Every student has to pass the examination. (= all the students)

I know every word of Amaradeva's songs by memory. (= all the words)

Each takes a singular verb except when it comes after a plural word. They each have won lottery prizes.

Starters:

How to use a dictionary

If you wish to learn English well, you cannot do without a dictionary. However, in selecting a dictionary pay attention to the following facts:

Starters should not go for a big and bulky dictionary.

Buy a picture dictionary in which you find many illustrations.

Do not use very old dictionaries. They may not have new words used in Information Technology.

Always keep a dictionary on your table.

If possible, carry a dictionary to school.

Never skip difficult words without consulting the dictionary.

Whenever you are free, read a few entries in the dictionary and be familiar with the meaning and pronunciation. A dictionary can be a good companion.

Lord Macanlay, the noted historian, once said he would take a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary if he had to spend a long holiday in an island!

That shows the importance of a dictionary.

Unlike a novel or a collection of short stories, you do not have to read a dictionary from cover to cover.

Dictionaries are meant for reference. Therefore, you can open a dictionary at any page and read the entries.

Remember that you cannot learn any subject without a good dictionary.