there

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(Pronounced [[t]ðə(r), STRONG ðeə(r)[/t]] for meanings 1 and 2, and [[t]ðe͟ə(r)[/t]] for meanings 3 to 19.)

1) PRON: PRON be n There is used as the subject of the verb `be' to say that something exists or does not exist, or to draw attention to it.

There's roadworks and temporary traffic lights between Camblesforth and Carlton...

Are there some countries that have been able to tackle these problems successfully?...

There were differences of opinion, he added, on very basic issues...

There's nothing in this room; there's not a single chair, there's no bed, and not a single shelf...

There's no way we can afford to buy a house at the moment...

There's no question she is the best comedienne in this country.

2) PRON: PRON v n You use there in front of certain verbs when you are saying that something exists, develops, or can be seen. Whether the verb is singular or plural depends on the noun which follows the verb.

There remains considerable doubt over when the intended high-speed rail link will be complete...

There appeared no imminent danger...

There rose before us the great pyramid of Gaza...

There developed a practice that came to a tragic and terrible end.

3) CONVENTION There is used after `hello' or `hi' when you are greeting someone.

`Hello there,' said the woman, smiling at them. - `Hi!' they chorused...

Oh, hi there. You must be Sidney.

4) ADV: be ADV, oft ADV for n, ADV to-inf If something is there, it exists or is available.

The group of old buildings on the corner by the main road is still there today...

The book is there for people to read and make up their own mind...

Nothing will be spent until he has made sure the money is there to pay for it.

5) ADV: be ADV, ADV with v, n ADV, oft prep ADV You use there to refer to a place which has already been mentioned.

The next day we drove the 33 miles to Siena (the Villa Arceno is a great place to stay while you are there) for the Palio...

`Come on over, if you want.' - `How do I get there?'...

It's one hell of a train trip, about five days there and back...

What if Spain reacts to the similar economic pressures which are appearing over there?

6) ADV: ADV with be, ADV after v, oft prep ADV You use there to indicate a place that you are pointing to or looking at, in order to draw someone's attention to it.

There it is, on the corner over there...

There she is on the left up there...

The toilets are over there, dear...

You'll find the details there.

7) ADV: ADV cl You use there in expressions such as `there he was' or `there we were' to sum up part of a story or to slow a story down for dramatic effect. [SPOKEN]

So there we were with Amy and she was driving us crazy...

I looked, and there he was, riding a horse, with a double barreled shotgun on his shoulder.

8) ADV: ADV with be You use there when speaking on the telephone to ask if someone is available to speak to you.

Hello, is Gordon there please?

9) ADV: ADV after v You use there to refer to a point that someone has made in a conversation.

Death is terrible. I agree with you there...

I think you're right there John...

Can I just stop you there sir?...

If you'll excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, we'd better leave it there.

10) ADV: ADV with cl, oft prep ADV You use there to refer to a stage that has been reached in an activity or process.

We are making further investigations and will take the matter from there...

And there we end this edition of Science in Action...

And there we have a question that most women would find uncomfortable to answer. Do we really want the men to be at home?

11) ADV: be ADV, ADV after v You use there to indicate that something has reached a point or level which is completely successful.

We had hoped to fill the back page with extra news; we're not quite there yet...

Life has not yet returned to normal but we are getting there.

12) ADV: ADV cl You can use there in expressions such as there you go or there we are when accepting that an unsatisfactory situation cannot be changed. [SPOKEN]

I'm the oldest and, according to all the books, should be the achiever, but there you go...

It's the wages that count. Not over-generous, but there you are...

`They didn't seem to know anything about it.' - `Oh well there we are.'

13) ADV: ADV cl (emphasis) You can use there in expressions such as there you go and there we are when emphasizing that something proves that you were right. [SPOKEN]

You see? There you go. That's why I didn't mention it earlier. I knew you'd take it the wrong way...

`There you are, you see!' she exclaimed. `I knew you'd say that!'...

Victoria Street, that's the name of the street. There we are, look.

14) PHRASE: PHR cl You use there again to introduce an extra piece of information which either contradicts what has been said or gives an alternative to it.

At 18 stone, I can't run around the way I used to. There again, some people say I never did...

I mean small cars are the answer surely. Or there again a good system of public transport might do the same thing.

15) PHRASE: V inflects Phrases such as there you go again, are used to show annoyance at someone who is repeating something that has annoyed you in the past. [SPOKEN]

`There you go again, upsetting the child!' said Shirley...

`There you go again, Dad, with your silly words.' - `Sorry, son.'...

Careful, there I go again, getting sentimental.

16) PHRASE: cl PHR You can add `so there' to what you are saying to show that you will not change your mind about a decision you have made, even though the person you are talking to disagrees with you. [INFORMAL]

`Take That' are the best group in the whole world. So there...

I think that's sweet, so there.

17) PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl If something happens there and then or then and there, it happens immediately.

Many felt that he should have resigned there and then...

There and then he made his decision...

A friend of Pip's invited them then and there to his college ball that night.

18) CONVENTION You say `there there' to someone who is very upset, especially a small child, in order to comfort them. [SPOKEN]

`There, there,' said Mum. `You've been having a really bad dream.'

19) CONVENTION (formulae) You say `there you are' or `there you go' when you are offering something to someone. [SPOKEN]

Nora picked up the boy, and gave him a biscuit. `There you are, Lennie, you take the nice biscuit.'