"There is"

Question

There is two ways of saying the same idea, with "there is" and without:

1. There were three golden poles with hoops on the end at either end of the field

2. At either end of the field were three golden poles with hoops on the end ( J. Rowling, Harry Potter 1)

Stylistically, what option is better?

Another example is from English translation of Remarque's "All quiet on the Western front": "Over us is the blue sky" or "Around us stretches the flowery meadow". are these better ways of saying "the blue sky is over us” / there is the blue sky over us" or "the flowery meadow is stretched around us"?

By the way, why "on the end", not "on the ends"?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

ralievBy the way, why "on the end", not "on the ends"?

at either end of the field (This means at one end and at the other end.)

on the end (of each pole)

ralievStylistically, what option is better?

Neither one is better. It is the choice of the author.
Inversion is typically used for dramatic effect, formality or emphasis.
Actually, three forms are possible:

1. There were three golden poles with hoops on the end at either end of the field. (Existential "there")

2. At either end of the field were three golden poles with hoops on the end. (inversion)

3. Three golden poles with hoops on the end were (located) at either end of the field. (normal word order)

CalifJim · Answer

For further information on this topic see and then follow the two links shown there.

CJ

"There is"

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