What does "there" mean?

1. (at that place) in, at, or to a place that is not where you are now. 2. (to show existence) used with the verb 'to be' to show that something exists or is happening. 3. (comforting someone) something you say to comfort someone who is upset. 4. (that place) that specific place or position mentioned before.

How do you use "there"?

Functions as a locative adverb; typically follows the verb or the object. The verb 'to be' must agree with the noun that follows 'there'. Often repeated as 'there, there'. Often follows a preposition like 'from' or 'near'.

Is it correct to say "I am going to there."?

No — say "I am going there.". Do not use 'to' before 'there' when it means 'to that place'.

Is it correct to say "There is many people."?

No — say "There are many people.". The verb must agree with the real subject that follows it.

there

adv. · pron. · interj. · n.

US //ˈðɛɹ// UK //ðˈeə// there

1 at that place (adv.)
A1 Beginner

in, at, or to a place that is not where you are now.

at or in that place; used to indicate a location away from the speaker.

Example

Put the chair over there by the window so we can see the garden.

Example

The hikers decided to camp there because the plateau offered a clear view of the valley and protection from the wind.

Usage

Functions as a locative adverb; typically follows the verb or the object.

Teacher's tip

Contrast with 'here' to teach spatial distance relative to the speaker.
- yonder
- here
Pitfall

I am going to there.

I am going there.

Do not use 'to' before 'there' when it means 'to that place'.
2 to show existence (pron.)
A1 Beginner

used with the verb 'to be' to show that something exists or is happening.

used as a dummy subject or expletive pronoun to introduce a sentence concerning the existence of something.

Example

There is a small park near my house where children play.

Example

There remain several unresolved issues regarding the budget that the committee must address before the final vote.

Usage

The verb 'to be' must agree with the noun that follows 'there'.

Teacher's tip

Remind students that 'there' is not the real subject; the noun following the verb determines singular or plural forms.

Pitfall

There is many people.

There are many people.

The verb must agree with the real subject that follows it.

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3 comforting someone (interj.)
B1 Intermediate

something you say to comfort someone who is upset.

used as an expression of sympathy, encouragement, or to soothe someone.

Example

There, there, don't cry; everything will be fine.

Example

There, there, it was only a minor accident and no one was actually hurt.

Usage

Often repeated as 'there, there'.

Teacher's tip

This is very common when speaking to children or close friends in distress.
- hush
- steady
4 that place (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

that specific place or position mentioned before.

a particular point, state, or location previously referred to.

Example

It is a long walk from there to the train station.

Example

We moved to the suburbs in 2010 and have lived there ever since.

Usage

Often follows a preposition like 'from' or 'near'.

Teacher's tip

Used as a noun substitute for a previously mentioned location.
- that spot
- here

Origin

From Middle English there, ther, thare, thar, thore, from Old English þēr, þǣr, þār (“there; at that place”), from Proto-West Germanic þār, from Proto-Germanic þar (“at that place; there”), from Proto-Indo-European tó-r (“there”), from demonstrative pronominal base to- (“the, that”) + adverbial suffix *-r. Cognate with Scots thar, thair (“there”), North Frisian dear, deer, där (“there”), Saterland Frisian deer (“there”), West Frisian dêr (“there”), Dutch daar (“there”), Low German dar (“there”), German da, dar- (“there”), Danish der (“there”), Norwegian der (“there”), Swedish där (“there”), Icelandic þar (“in that place, there”).

Idioms25 entries