The words there is and The they are homophones (that is, they have different spellings and meanings, but are pronounced the same way). This raises a lot of doubts about orthography: when to use one and when to use the other? Here are some cases.
when to use there is?
The word there is is a conjugation of the verb "be” when this is impersonal, that is why its most common meanings are in the sense of “existing” (in this sense, “having”) or, in the case of elapsed time, “doing”. If you substitute the verb there is by one of the verbs mentioned above and it doesn't change the meaning of the sentence, you already know the correct way to write it.
See some examples:
- The meteorologist said that there is very likely rain tomorrow.
(The meteorologist said that exist very likely rain tomorrow.)
-
There is several books in my room.
(Has several books in my room.)
- we don't see each other there is many years.
(we don't see each other does many years.)
Read too:A short time ago or a short time ago?
when to use The?
The word "a" can have several classifications depending on the context. It tends to be in several voices and, therefore, its use is very versatile.
We use "a" as article definite feminine singular, that is, to specify a feminine noun in a given context. already the prepositions they connect one word to another, generating meaning and establishing a relationship of dependence between them. The preposition “a” is usually governed by some verbs, that is, they need this preposition for the statement to have meaning.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
In addition to the verbs, often the preposition "a" appears in phrases, which are two or more words with the same function, whose meaning arises from the combination of these terms, and not from the isolated word.
When there is no sense of "existing" or of time past, use the word “The”.
Note the following examples:
- We were in consultation with The pediatrician.
(Article)
- I said The she that everything was fine.
(Preposition)
-
Hence The little will rain.
(Adverbial phrase)
Common Doubts
Watch out for pleonasm!
It is not used in the same sentence “there is... ago” as this makes the meaning redundant. "There" already has a sense of something past, as stated above. Look:
- I was born ten thousand years ago.
(Inappropriate according to the standard rule.)
- I was born ten thousand years ago.
(Suitable according to standard standard.)
- I was born ten thousand years ago.
(Suitable according to standard standard.)
Read too: Most common vicious pleonasms in the Portuguese language
- be careful with the back!
We do not use “a” before personal pronouns, it is not accompanied by a back letter. Watch:
- It gave The she many compliments for the achievement.
- offered The we a lot of help.
- Past x Future
Note that while “there is” is usually present in the sense of time past, “The” can be present in phrases in the sense of time future. Look:
- We arrived THERE IS ten minutes.
(Past time)
- we will get from here THE ten minutes.
(future tense)
solved exercises
1 – Check the alternative that correctly completes the gaps:
We explained to ___ that it would not be possible to ___ return today, as we would close ___ in five minutes. But let's warn you that ___ return possibility tomorrow.
a) to; The; there is; there is.
b) there is; The; The; The.
c) a; The; there is; The.
gives; The; The; there is.
2 – Check the alternative that presents the correct use of the term “ha” according to the standard rule of the Portuguese language:
The) There is times I wanted to do this.
b) We gave gifts there is several children.
c) expected there is long delivery.
d) There is ten hours ago, an accident occurred.
Answers
1 - d)
we explain The she = preposition
It would not be possible The return = article
from there The five minutes = preposition, future tense
warn that there is possibility = verb to be in the present tense
2 - a)
In item b), the correct thing would be The, as it is a preposition.
In item c), the correct one would be The, as it is an article.
In item d), the correct one is in fact there is, however, the construction “there are... ago” is not in accordance with the standard norm of the Portuguese language.
By Guilherme Viana
grammar teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
VIANA, William. "A or is there?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/a-ou-ha.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
