18. There (is) and It (is)

Positive	There is a computer in the room. There are two computers in the room.
Negative	There isn’t a computer in the room. There aren’t any computers in the room.
Questions	Is there a computer in the room? Are there any computers in the room? Why aren’t there any computers in the room?

1. We use there (is, was, were, has (have) been, will be) to show that something exists:

E.g. There is much snow outside.

There are three factors to remember.

Compare: There is a computer in this room

and

The computer is in this room.

These sentences have different meanings.

2. We use it is (was, will be) to describe a thing, situation or feeling.

E.g. It is dangerous to cross the street here.

It was nice to see you again.

It will be cold and windy next week.

It is a nice room.

This is my car. It is new.

Ex. 1. Put the sentences in the negative and interrogative form (yes/no questions).

1. There is a garage near my house.

2. There were some people in the street.

3. There are a lot of trees in your garden.

4. There will be a concert in our city next week.

5. There has been a lot of rain in England lately.

6. There are cheap vegetables on this market.

7. There were difficult tasks in the test.

8. There will be ten guests at the party.

9. There is an interesting film on TV tonight.

10. There are some cups and glasses in the kitchen.

Ex. 2. Use there or it with a suitable tense-from of the verb be.

1. … much information in this book.

2. … rather windy today and it’s going to rain soon.

3. … a lot of people in the shop, they are buying Christmas presents.

4. Thank you, … so nice of you to help me.

5. … a new hotel in this place next year.

6. I don’t want to go to the disco, … too much noise there.

7. Could you explain this word to me, … rather difficult to understand.

8. I don’t think … any problems with your visa, we’ll make all the arrangements.

9. … some misunderstanding between us, but now we have clarified all the details.

10. You should take a taxi, … a long way from here.

11. I’m afraid I can’t afford to buy this car, … too expensive for me.

12. Could you come to my room, … some important news in the last fax.

Ex. 3. Translate the sentences into English.

1. На улице много машин.

2. В Лондоне сейчас холодно?

3. Было интересно увидеть столько новых людей.

4. Будет трудно найти его.

5. В комнате два кресла.

6. Кресла - в комнате, а стулья – на кухне.

7. Было поздно, и мы пошли домой.

8. Было несколько интересных предложений, но ему они не понравились.

9. В вашем отделе пятнадцать сотрудников?

10. Трудно ответить на этот вопрос.

11. Это трудный вопрос?

12. На столе несколько писем для тебя.

13. Письма на столе – для тебя.

14. Это письмо от Ричарда.

15. Денег нет. Мы не можем купить новую машину.

16. Людей на улице не было, потому что было очень поздно.

17. Скучно смотреть эту передачу.

19. Used to + V

Positive	She used to visit us twice a year.
Negative	She didn’t use to visit us when we lived in London. or She never used to visit us when we lived in London. or She used not to visit us when we lived in London.
Questions	Did she use to visit us? Yes, she did. No, she didn’t. Why did she use to visit us?

It shows a past habit: what a person often did in the past, but doesn’t do any longer.

E.g. I used to play on this playground when I was little.

They used to come to see us at Christmas and bring a lot of presents for everybody.

My granny used to be very happy when I brought home good marks.

Ex. 1. Make the sentences negative and interrogative. Translate them into Russian.

1. He used to shock his parents with his hairstyle.

2. Their parents used to be good athletes.

3. She used to like classical music.

4. There used to be a lot of trees near his house.

5. She used to smoke a lot.

6. Tom used to be happier when he lived in the country.

7. People used to wear such strange clothes in the 19^th century.

Ex. 2. Paraphrase the sentences using used to.

1. When I was a small boy I often watched the clouds in the sky.

2. She often sat in front of the fire, listening to the wind in the chimney.

3. During his summer holidays he always went to his granny’s who lived in the country.

4. When he was a schoolboy he never slept late.

5. Lucy often cried when she fell down, as I remember.

6. Did you have a habit of reading in bed when you were a teenager?

7. What did your parents usually do when you came home late?

8. Jane was very thin before she had her first baby.

9. She didn’t like coffee when she was a little girl, but now she quite enjoys drinking it.