- Have you ever hesitated between saying “There is” or “There are” when starting a list?
- Do you want to move beyond basic sentences and use expressions like “There appears to be” or “There remains”?
- Are you looking for the most natural ways to point things out without sounding like a textbook?
Mastering There Collocations is a fundamental step toward English fluency. Instead of translating word-for-word from your native language, learning these “word partnerships” allows you to build sentences automatically. In English, “there” acts as a powerful tool to introduce new information or specify locations, and using it correctly reduces cognitive load, making your speech smoother and more native-like.
Essential Collocations using THERE as a Pronoun (Existential “There”)
In this role, “there” doesn’t refer to a specific place. Instead, it acts as a “dummy subject” to introduce the existence or presence of something. This is the most common use in professional and academic English.
Introducing Existence and Presence
These collocations are the building blocks of descriptive English.
- There is/are: The most basic form to show something exists. (Example: There is a significant gap in the market.)
- There exists: Used in formal or scientific contexts. (Example: There exists a direct correlation between sleep and productivity.)
- There remains: Used to show that something still exists after other things have gone. (Example: There remains much work to be done.)
Expressing Possibility and Probability
Use these to talk about things that might happen or seem to be true.
- There seems to be: Used when you are making an observation that might not be 100% certain. (Example: There seems to be a misunderstanding regarding the deadline.)
- There appears to be: Slightly more formal than “seems.” (Example: There appears to be a technical glitch in the system.)
- There might be: Expressing a possibility. (Example: There might be a chance for a promotion next year.)
- There is likely to be: Predicting a high probability. (Example: There is likely to be a lot of traffic this afternoon.)
Showing Necessity and Availability
These phrases help you manage expectations or give instructions.
- There is no need: Used to tell someone something is unnecessary. (Example: There is no need to apologize; it was an accident.)
- There is no point: Used to say an action will not have a useful result. (Example: There is no point in arguing once the decision is made.)
- There is plenty of: To show that more than enough of something is available. (Example: There is plenty of time to finish the report.)
Common Collocations with THERE as an Adverb
When “there” functions as an adverb, it refers to a specific location, position, or a point in a process. These are highly common in everyday conversation and directions.
Specifying Precise Locations
These help the listener focus on a specific spot.
- Right there: Exactly in that place. (Example: The keys are right there on the counter.)
- Over there: At a distance from the speaker, usually within sight. (Example: Your friend is standing over there by the entrance.)
- Down there / Up there: Indicating a lower or higher physical level. (Example: The archives are kept down there in the basement.)
Broad or Abstract Locations
Use these when referring to general areas or metaphorical spaces.
- Out there: Refers to the world at large or a wide space. (Example: It’s a competitive world out there.)
- In there: Inside a specific room, container, or organization. (Example: Go in there and ask for the manager.)
- Been there, done that: An idiom meaning you have experienced something before and find it unexciting now. (Example: You’re nervous about the exam? Been there, done that!)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| There seems to be | Pronoun + Verb | It looks like something exists. |
| Over there | Preposition + Adverb | In that place (at a distance). |
| There remains | Pronoun + Verb | Something is still present. |
| Right there | Adverb + Adverb | In that exact spot. |
| There is no need | Pronoun + Phrase | It is not necessary. |
| Out there | Adverb + Adverb | In the world/In a wide area. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| In the room has many people. | There are many people in the room. |
| It is a mistake in the file. | There is a mistake in the file. |
| Look it there! | Look over there! |
| Is no point to cry. | There is no point in crying. |
Contextual Story
“Hi team, there appears to be a slight delay with the project launch. There is no need to panic, as there remains enough time to fix the bugs. If you look at the shared folder, right there in the ‘Drafts’ section, you’ll find the updated schedule. There are likely to be a few more questions, so there is no point in rushing the meeting. Let’s discuss it over there in the breakroom.”
Frequently Asked Questions about There Collocations
Should I use “There is” or “There are” with a list?
In formal writing, use the plural “There are” if the first item in the list is plural. However, in casual spoken English, most native speakers use the contraction “There’s” even for plural lists (e.g., “There’s a pen and some papers on the desk”). For exams, stick to the proximity rule: match the verb to the first noun in the list.
What is the difference between “There” and “It”?
“There” is used to introduce the existence of something for the first time (There is a bird). “It” is used to refer back to something already mentioned or to talk about weather, time, and distance (It is a blue bird / It is raining).
Is “There you go” a collocation?
Yes, “There you go” is a very common functional collocation. It is used when giving something to someone, or to confirm that someone has finally understood something or performed a task correctly.
Can I say “There’s many people”?
While grammatically “There are many people” is correct, in 2024, “There’s many…” is extremely common in informal spoken English. However, for professional emails or academic essays, you should always use “There are” for plural subjects to maintain high linguistic standards.
What does “There, there” mean?
This is a specific repetitive collocation used as an exclamation to comfort someone, usually a child or someone who is upset. It’s a way of saying “It’s okay” or “Don’t cry.”
I'm thinking of creating a listening activity where students have to identify different 'there' collocations. This article provides excellent examples to work with. Thanks!
That's a brilliant idea, Jean-Pierre! Listening activities are excellent for developing recognition of natural speech patterns. You could even challenge them to use these collocations in their own spoken or written sentences afterward. We're happy to provide inspiration for your lessons!
It's so true about not translating word-for-word! In Portuguese, we often use 'Há' (from 'haver') which is similar to 'there is/are,' but the structure for more complex ideas is quite different. This helps bridge the gap.
I'm curious about 'There appears to be.' Does it always imply uncertainty, or can it be used as a polite way to state something that is clear?
'There appears to be' primarily implies an observation or inference rather than absolute certainty, Wei. It suggests you're basing your statement on available evidence or a visual impression. While it does convey a degree of uncertainty, it can also be used as a polite or diplomatic way to state something that might be obvious but isn't definitively proven, or to soften a direct statement. For example, 'There appears to be a consensus forming' is polite but still an observation.
I always felt like my English sounded so basic because I only used 'there is/are.' This article makes me feel like I can actually sound more sophisticated!
That's fantastic to hear, Liam! Moving beyond the basics is a natural part of your language learning journey. Incorporating these varied 'there' collocations will definitely add sophistication and naturalness to your English. Keep practicing and challenging yourself!
Beyond 'there exists,' are there other formal ways to introduce existence in academic writing that don't use 'there'? Or is 'there' the preferred introductory word for this?
Excellent question, Isabella! While 'there' is very common, you can certainly vary your introductions in academic writing. Phrases like 'A correlation exists between X and Y,' 'Evidence suggests that...', 'The presence of X indicates...', or 'X is found to...' are all ways to convey existence or presence formally without starting with 'there.' However, 'there' is often the most concise and direct way to introduce new information, so it remains a preferred tool.
Simple, clear, and incredibly useful. This article distilled a complex topic into easy-to-understand concepts. Exactly what I come to Translateen for!
Could you clarify the nuance between 'there is still' and 'there remains'? Is 'there remains' always more formal or simply a different emphasis?
That's a subtle but important distinction, Svetlana! 'There remains' is generally more formal than 'there is still.' 'There remains' often implies a leftover quantity or condition after something else has changed or been removed, carrying a slightly more formal or definitive tone. 'There is still' is more conversational and can simply mean 'it continues to exist.' For instance, 'There remains a slight chance' (more formal, after considering other possibilities) vs. 'There is still a slight chance' (more common, conversational).
For my students, I often try to highlight that 'there' isn't referring to a physical place in these contexts. Your 'dummy subject' explanation is perfect for reinforcing that concept. Great article!
Thank you, Mr. Smith! We're glad we could provide a useful perspective. Emphasizing 'there' as a functional placeholder rather than a directional adverb is key to understanding its existential role. Keep up the fantastic teaching!
Learning 'word partnerships' to build sentences automatically – that's brilliant! I always try to construct from scratch, which takes so much time. This sounds much more efficient!
The example 'There is a significant gap in the market' is very clear. Is 'significant gap' a common collocation itself, or just an example phrase?
That's an excellent observation, Mateo! 'Significant gap' is indeed a very common collocation, especially in business and academic English. It's a natural pairing that means a large or important difference or lack. So, you've spotted a collocation within an example of a 'there' collocation!