Grammar Lessons: Is There A Dummy Subject? (A Quick Guide)

Introduction

Is there a dummy subject? The short answer is yes. “There” may function as a dummy subject but it has other grammatical functions too. In this article, we will explore how the word there is used in English grammar, illustrating with examples.

Let’s get started!

What is a dummy subject?

Before answering whether there is a dummy subject, let’s define first what dummy subjects are.

A dummy subject is an ‘empty’ or ‘artificial’ subject that we use when there is no subject attached to the verb, and where the real subject (the logical subject) is somewhere else in the clause. Examples of dummy subjects in English include it and there.

Here are some examples:

There’s an interesting movie on TV tonight.
It’s great meeting you here.

It and there are dummy subjects (empty or artificial subjects.) The real subjects (or logical subjects) are highlighted below;

An interesting movie is on TV tonight.
Meeting you here is great.

In the following sections, we are going to focus on the dummy subject “there“

Is There A dummy subject?

Yes, in English, the word “there” can function as a pronoun, specifically as a dummy subject. There as a dummy subject is typically used in existential clauses – clauses that refer to the existence or presence of something such as “There is hope,” meaning hope exists.

Examples:

There is hope.
There are some students.
There occurred a terrible accident.
There exist two major factors.

In these examples, “there” is paired with the verb “to be” in existential clauses, which discuss the existence or presence of something. It can also be used with other verbs like “exist” or “occur.” Importantly, the logical subject of the verbs appears as a complement.

Hope is there.
Some students are there.
A terrible accident occurred there.
Two major factors exist there.

Subject-verb Agreement

The agreement between the dummy subject and the logical subject (the real subject) is crucial:

It takes a plural verb if the complement (logical subject) is plural.
It takes a singular verb if the complement (logical subject) is singular.

In everyday English, the contracted form “there’s” is commonly used for both singular and plural complements.

There’s two of them.*
There’s one of them.

*NOTE: Avoid using “there is/there’s“ for plural complements. The example “there is two of them” is considered ungrammatical!

Questions With There:

When forming questions, the dummy subject is inverted:

There is a nice restaurant.
Is there a nice restaurant?

Deictic Or Pronoun?

The word “there” can also act as a deictic adverb, referring to a place. This dual role can sometimes lead to ambiguity.

Examples:

There is a restaurant.

This sentence may convey two meanings:

A restaurant exists. (There is used as a pronoun)
A restaurant is in that place. (There is deictic, referring to a place – it is adverbial)

In speech, the deictic “there” is emphasized or stressed. However, when used as a pronoun, it is not stressed.

Function as Dummy Subject	“There” acts as a placeholder subject in sentences without conveying specific meaning.	“There is a cat on the roof.”
Existential Clauses	Commonly used with the verb “to be” in clauses referring to the existence or presence of something.	“There occurred a sudden change.”
Subject-Verb Agreement	Agrees in number with the logical subject (singular or plural).	“There’s a book on the shelf.”
Questions with Inversion	Inverts when forming questions.	“Is there a new movie in town?”
Deictic Use	Can serve as a deictic adverb, indicating a place.	“There is a park nearby.”

Is there a dummy subject?

Conclusion

To sum up, “there” functions as a handy placeholder—a sort of empty or artificial subject—in English sentences. It helps us create clear, well-formed sentences, especially in existential clauses. The verb in these clauses agrees with the logical—or real—subject in number. “There” may also function as a deictic reference to a place, as in “there is a restaurant,” indicating the place where the restaurant exists.

“There” Used As A Dummy Subject (A Quick Guide)

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