ADDENDA

Introductory Particles

It-There

The pronoun and the adverb here associated are used quite apart from their ordinary meaning in introducing a clause or sentence. When we say, "It is a fine day," we do not think of any special antecedent of the pronoun "it," and when we say, "There is money enough in the bank," we do not think of the particular location of that "money." The "it" and "there" are used in such cases like the algebraic x or y simply to fill the place of some quantity not exactly specified, but to be supplied later. In such expressions as "It is pleasant weather," "It is I," the "it" simply holds the thought in expectancy for the coming predicate. In such expressions as "It is time to go," " It rains," the "it" serves the same purpose.

In the phrase "there is," the word "there" is so independent of local suggestion that a local adverb, as "here" or another “there,” may be added to give the local meaning which the introductory "there" fails to express, and we may say, "There is material here," or "There is a gate there," the final adverb keeping the local meaning which the introductory adverb has lost. The introductory "there" is more slightly pronounced than "there" denoting location.

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves and two small fishes. John vi, 9.

In interrogations the sentence may be inverted, so that the "it" or "there" will follow its verb, just as a subject noun might do, but yet keep the same essential relation as when used in introducing the clause or sentence; as, "Does it rain?" "Is there time?"

Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,

This is my own, my native land!

SCOTT Lay of Last Minstrel can. 6, st. 1.

Sometimes the introductory "it" stands as the equivalent of a whole clause or phrase, as an infinitive with its adjuncts or the like; as, "When . . . it becomes necessary for one people to sever the bonds which have bound them to another," etc.; that is, "When... to sever the bonds," etc., "becomes necessary," etc. But the latter expression seems stiff and forced, while that with the introductory "it" is flowing and easy, the "it" serving as an usher to direct the mind to the principal thought. These two introductory particles, "it" and "there," have much to do with the coherence and ease of English speech.