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4444mv Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Existential there

I was told to use the 'existential there' in: There are five students in the classroom and not five students are in the classroom.

Why is the second sentence in correct?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

4444mv Why is the second sentence in correct incorrect ? The second isn't really incorrect grammatically. It's just not idiomatic.

— CalifJim

  • 4444mv Why is the second sentence in correct incorrect ?
  • The second isn't really incorrect grammatically.
  • It's just not idiomatic.
  • That is, it's not the way that native speakers usually choose when they want to express that concept.
  • CJ
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4 Answers
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4444mvWhy is the second sentence in correct incorrect?
The second isn't really incorrect grammatically. It's just not idiomatic. That is, it's not the way that native speakers usually choose when they want to express that concept.

CJ
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CalifJim 4444mvWhy is the second sentence in correct incorrect?The second isn't really incorrect grammatically. It's just not idiomatic. That is, it's not the way that native speakers usually choose when they want to express that concept.CJ
And if instead of 'five students' we refer to 'a student' (indefinite) apart from not being idiomatic, is it grammatical
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4444mvAnd if instead of 'five students' we refer to 'a student' (indefinite) apart from not being idiomatic, is it grammatically incorrect?
No. A student is in the classroom is grammatically correct. It sounds a little weird to native speakers, but it follows the rules of grammar.

CJ
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CalifJim 4444mvAnd if instead of 'five students' we refer to 'a student' (indefinite) apart from not being idiomatic, is it grammatically incorrect?No. A student is in the classroom is grammatically correct. It sounds a little weird to native speakers, but it follows the rules of grammar.CJ
Thank you, CJ.
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