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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Word functions

In the sentence 'let there be light" does 'let' function as an imperative ? and what doe 'there' function as?

If you were to change it to just "light!" (then light appeared) would light function as the imperative?
  

Top answer

English is a world language and grammarians' terms vary from country to country. I think let is unanimously considered an imperative in your sentence but there can be called several names. I have seen it called a dummy there , which has always sounded rather amateurish to my ear, a formal subject and a preparatory there.

— Cool Breeze

  • English is a world language and grammarians' terms vary from country to country.
  • I think let is unanimously considered an imperative in your sentence but there can be called several names.
  • I have seen it called a dummy there , which has always sounded rather amateurish to my ear, a formal subject and a preparatory there.
  • I'm sure other terms are also used.
  • In the sentence then light appeared "light" is clearly the subject.
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3 Answers
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English is a world language and grammarians' terms vary from country to country. I think let is unanimously considered an imperative in your sentence but there can be called several names. I have seen it called a dummy there, which has always sounded rather amateurish to my ear, a formal subject and a preparatory there. I'm sure other terms are also used.

In t
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Cool BreezeI think let is unanimously considered an imperative in your sentence

When I first read the post I thought it was a subjunctive form (I didn't reply because I couldn't answer the other questions!). Do you think that's wrong, or can it be an imperative and a subjunctive?
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Mr WordyDo you think that's wrong, or can it be an imperative and a subjunctive?
As I said, terms vary. I wouldn't be surprised if some grammarians thought of let as a subjunctive. As there are so few verb forms in English and so many idiomatic ways to use them, these few forms sometimes defy classification.

CB
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