there
adverb
UK/ðə(r)/US/ðɛr/
In, at, or to that place or position.
Example Sentences
The keys are over there on the table.
She pointed to the house and said, 'Let's go there this weekend.'
The mountains in the distance looked beautiful from there.
He left his phone there before rushing out of the room.
We decided to meet there after the movie ended.
The store is just around the corner, go there and grab what you need.
They moved to a new city and built their lives there.
I can't find my glasses, did you leave them there?
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
pronoun
UK/ðə(r)/US/ðɛr/
Used as an expletive to introduce a sentence or clause, especially one containing the verb 'to be'.
Example Sentences
There is a book on the table.
There are many reasons to visit that museum.
Is there a good restaurant nearby?
There was a loud noise outside the window.
There will be a meeting tomorrow morning.
There seems to be a mistake in the report.
There have been several updates to the software.
There might be some delays due to traffic.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Designates location, position, or the mere fact of being.This term serves multiple grammatical roles, chiefly referring to a place or signaling existence. As an adverb, it points to a location—“Put the keys there,” indicating a specific spot. It also appears as an expletive (sometimes called a ‘dummy subject’) in sentences like “There is a reason for this,” where it fills the subject position before the verb, emphasizing that something exists or occurs.When highlighting a place, pair it with gestures or context for clarity: “Look over there,” “Stand there, please.” If you want to emphasize existence or presence, you’ll often see it accompanied by a form of “to be,” such as “There was a thunderstorm last night,” or “There will be a meeting at noon.” In instructions or short narratives, “there” can guide the listener or reader toward a new or distant location: “Go there and wait for further details.”In conversation, distinguishing between “there,” “their,” and “they’re” is essential, as these homophones share pronunciation but serve different functions. “There” pinpoints a place or existence, “their” shows possession, and “they’re” is a contraction of “they are.” By choosing the correct form, you keep communication clear. Similarly, watch out for overusing “there is/are” constructions in writing, as it can lead to vague language. If possible, rephrase to focus on the main noun or action: “A reason exists for this,” or “A meeting will start at noon.” Nevertheless, “there” remains a vital, user-friendly tool for directing attention to a location or underscoring that something is present or about to happen.
Alternatives
For pointing out location or presence, other expressions can serve similar functions, though most will shift sentence structure rather than substitute directly. If you want to indicate a place more precisely, you might use “here” (close to the speaker) or “over yonder” for a more poetic or archaic sense of distance. In instructions, you could replace “there” with phrases like “in that spot,” “at that place,” or “in the distance.”When introducing existence, reconfiguring your sentence sometimes removes the need for “there,” such as swapping “There are many flowers in the garden” with “Many flowers bloom in the garden.” This transformation emphasizes the subject (“flowers”) rather than the expletive construction. In some contexts, “exist” or “occur” may replace the idea of “There is/are,” e.g., “Planets exist beyond our solar system” or “Storms occur frequently in summer.” While these variations can enrich your phrasing, “there” remains the simplest and most common choice for guiding attention to a specific place or event.
Writing
When writing, “there” helps establish scenes or observations in a clear, direct manner: “There stood a lone pine tree at the edge of the cliff.” This usage brings the reader’s focus straight to the setting, often working well in narrative openings or descriptions. Keep an eye on how often you use “there is/are” constructions, as overreliance can create wordiness or passive sentence structures. If you’re describing action, consider whether you can rearrange to give your main characters or objects more prominence—switching from “There were several hikers on the trail” to “Several hikers populated the trail” can make your writing more vivid.Still, “there” can effectively highlight revelations or dramatic points—“There lies the mystery!”—turning it into a signpost that readers instantly follow. When editing, skim for sentences that begin with “There is/are,” then decide whether more direct language might help. In formal or academic writing, balancing these constructions with active statements is key. In creative or literary writing, sprinkling “there” can enhance mood and pacing, ensuring a natural flow. Overall, it’s a versatile tool you can wield to shape your narrative’s direction and introduce new developments without burdening your text with unnecessary complexity.
Casual Conversation
In day-to-day speech, you’ll find “there” peppered into quick directions—“Put your coat there,” “There’s a spot free,” “Watch out, there’s a step!”—signaling where an item or activity should go. It’s also commonplace when expressing that something exists or is happening, like “There’s a sale going on!” or “There’s a fun event tonight.” These everyday contexts rely on the easy clarity “there” brings, letting listeners instantly picture the place or confirm that something is present.Conversations often start with an existential “there” to set the scene before offering more details: “There’s this great new coffee shop in town.” People then follow up with details—where it’s located, how it tastes, why they recommend it. You might also use “there” for reassurance or guidance, as in “There, there—it’ll be okay,” or “There you go!” after someone succeeds at a small task. Whether calling attention to an object or introducing a new piece of information, “there” is an everyday staple that helps keep interactions straightforward and friendly. When used sparingly and strategically, it clarifies location or existence without complicating your casual talk.
Etymology
The word “there” originates from Old English “þǣr,” which indicated a location or position. This early form evolved alongside its close relatives in Old Frisian and Old Saxon. As English transitioned through Middle English—where spelling and pronunciation began to standardize—“there” solidified its function as both an adverb of place and a marker of existence. The introduction of printing technology and standardized texts in the Early Modern English period further cemented its usage, reflecting the language’s growing need for a simple pointer to places, events, and states of being.Interestingly, “there” often gets paired with “here,” each denoting position relative to the speaker—“here” for proximity, “there” for distance. Over centuries, English speakers found it helpful to extend the meaning beyond pure location, using “there” to frame existence or presence (“There is a reason for hope”), and so an expletive usage emerged. This expansion mirrors the language’s broader tendency to make small words do big jobs, aiding everything from daily directions to existential remarks. Its continued prevalence shows how central the notion of positioning and introducing ideas is to human communication, making “there” a staple of the English vocabulary.
