Lecture 16 It-Patterns and Existential Sentence

Part 1. Use of it

Part 2. Existential Sentence Structural properties of existential

sentences Non-finite existential clauses

Part 1 Use of it1.Empty it

2.Anticipatory it

3. Introductory it in cleft sentences

1. Empty it: non-referring it as formal subjectIt is meaningless and is chiefly used as formal

subject in sentences denoting time, place, distance, and atmospheric conditions.

It’s so quiet and peaceful here.It’s quite a long way to the nearest town.It seems as if we’ve known each other for

years.You will catch it for breaking the glasses.It has fared well with him.

2. Anticipatory it commonly occurs in sentences with a nominal clause

as subject or object. It is important to study English grammar. It was lovely meeting you at last. It is remarkable that so few of the patients suffered

side effects. It was not known whether there was gold left in the

mine.He made it clear that he didn’t want to speak to me.

It was said he was innocent. It is believed the rebels are about to attack the capital.

Whether they will come or not doesn’t matter very much.

To be here with you this evening is a great pleasure.

You were so kind to invite us.He is quite likely to let you down.I think a good idea would be to get up a

petition.

3. introductory it in cleft sentences

Cleft sentence definedA cleft sentence is an emphatic

construction with non-referring it as formal subject. It is so called because it is formed by dividing a single statement into two separate parts each with a verb of its own. The general pattern of a cleft sentence is as follows:

It + be + focal element + that- / who- clause

John gave Mary a handbag at Christmas.It was at Christmas that John gave Mary a

handbag.It might have been at Christmas that John gave Mary a handbag.

Pat released the President’s illness to the reporters at the party last night.

It was Pat who…It was the president’s illness that…It was to the reporters that …It was at the party that…It was last night that…? It was released that Pat …

Pseudo-cleft sentences A pseudo-cleft sentence is essentially

an SVC construction with a what-clause as subject.

What John did was (to) give Mary a handbag.

What John gave Mary was a handbag. A handbag was what John gave Mary.

Part 2 Existential Sentences 1. Structural properties of existential sentences

The existential sentence generally begins with an unstressed there as formal subject followed by a form of the verb be or other verb that is related to the notion of existence. Following the verb is a noun phrase, which is known as the “notional” or “real” subject as distinguished from the formal subject, and the notional subject is usually followed by a locative, or at times by a temporal adverbial. Thus, the general pattern of an existential sentence is as follows:

There + be + NP + locative / temporal adverbial

1.1 Introductory there Are there any people in the hall? There are some people in the waiting room. 1.2 Notional subject The notional subject, which is actually the

focus of information, is usually a noun phrase with indefinite specific reference. The determiners commonly occurring in this kind of noun phrase include the indefinite article, the zero article, and other indefinite determiners such as some, any, no, several, many, much, more, (a)few, (a)little, less another, a lot of, plenty of, a number of, enough, as well as the cardinal numerals.

Plenty of people are getting promotion.= There are plenty of people getting promotion.

1.3 Predicator in existential sentence The predicator or predicate verb of an existential

sentence is commonly a form of the verb be, finite or non-finite, simple or perfective. The predicator may also be realized by “modal + be / have been” or “semi-auxiliary + be”, eg:

There can be very little doubt about his guilt.There can’t have been much traffic so late at night.There appears to be no doubt about it.

Apart from the verb be, there are at least there classes of semantically-related verbs that can act as predicator in an existential sentence.

There arose in his imagination visions of a world empire.Long, long ago, there lived six blind men in India.

1. A car was ready for us.2. A man is sitting on that fence.3. A student came to see you.4. A good film will be on at the Rex next

week.5. I’m sure that a mistake has been

made.

2. Non-finite existential clauses

A non-finite existential clause is one whose predicator is a non-finite verb phrase. There are two types of non-finite existential clause:

There to be / (to have been) + NP + locative / temporal adverbialThere being / having been + NP +locative /temporal adverbial

2.1 As prepositional complementation Both forms can be used as prepositional

complementation. If the preposition is for , it usually takes the “there to be ”form as complementation. With other prepositions, the complementation usually takes the “there being” form, eg:

They planned for there to be another meeting.John was reying on there being another opportunity.

2.2 As object This applies more often than not to the “there to be”

form. There are only a limited number of verbs that can

take a “there to be”form as object. These verbs include expect, mean, intend, want, like, prefer, hate, etc, eg:

Members like there to be plenty of choice.

2.3 As subject and adverbial As subject, the “there being” form is

commonly used, eg: There being a bus stop so near the house is

a great advantage. When the “there to be” form is used as

subject, it is introduced by for, eg: It was unusual for there to be so few people

in the streets. The “there being” form can also act as

adverbial, eg: There having been no rain, the ground was

dry

1. people don’t want ____ another car.There’s now some hope of ____ a

settlement of the dispute.They asked for ___ another meeting.John planned on ____ another meeting.People hate ___ queues everywhere.