there
there — adverb
1. the opposite of 'here' — pointing to a location that is not where the person spe
the opposite of 'here' — pointing to a location that is not where the person speaking is, such as a different street, a new city, or the far end of a room.
The book you want is over there on the shelf next to the window.
over there — pointing to a visible place
Eshe left her bag there on the kitchen counter this morning.
there after a verb of position (left)
We walked to the park and stayed there until the rain started.
The train station is right there, just past the red building.
- here
at or to the place where the speaker is
用法筆記
Frequently paired with 'over' for pointing (over there) or 'right' for precision (right there). Can also show direction: 'go there', 'put it there'.
常見錯誤
2. to a place that someone is travelling to, with the focus on reaching it — used a
to a place that someone is travelling to, with the focus on reaching it — used after verbs like 'get', 'arrive', or 'be'.
The taxi will be there in about ten minutes, Hao said.
be there — arrive at a destination
We finally got there after driving for six hours straight.
got there — completed the journey
Call me when you get there, Diya reminded her brother.
The delivery driver said he would be there by noon tomorrow.
用法筆記
Almost always follows 'get', 'be', or 'arrive'. Not used with 'go' + 'there' for arrival — 'go there' emphasises the movement, not the reaching.
3. to reach a goal or achieve success after effort — used with 'get' in the phrase
to reach a goal or achieve success after effort — used with 'get' in the phrase 'get there'.
Keep practicing the piano, and you will get there eventually.
get there — achieve a goal after effort
Rania almost gave up, but her coach told her she could get there.
The project took two years, but we got there in the end.
With hard work and patience, Adisa believed he could get there.
- fail
to not achieve the desired result
用法筆記
Only in the fixed phrase 'get there'. Distinguish from sense 2 (ARRIVAL), where 'get there' means arriving at a physical location. In this sense the 'place' is a goal or level of success.
4. used at the beginning of a sentence to say that something exists, happens, or is
used at the beginning of a sentence to say that something exists, happens, or is present — for example, 'There is a cloud in the sky' or 'There were five people at the meeting'.
There is a small café around the corner that sells great coffee.
there is — stating existence of something
There are three students waiting in the hallway outside the office.
There seems to be a problem with the computer system today.
There was a loud noise coming from the basement last night.
There is no reason to worry about the test results this week.
文法句型
there + be + noun phrase
there + seems/appears + to be
用法筆記
The verb agrees with the noun that follows: 'There IS a cup' (singular) vs 'There ARE two cups' (plural). Also works with 'seems', 'appears', 'exists', 'remains'.
常見錯誤
5. used at the start of a traditional story or folktale to introduce a character or
used at the start of a traditional story or folktale to introduce a character or situation — typically followed by 'once' or 'once upon a time'.
There once lived a young girl named Lotte in a small mountain village.
there once lived — classic story opening frame
There lived an old woman who knew the secret of the deep forest.
There once was a king who loved music more than anything else.
There once lived a brave soldier who crossed seven seas to find his home.
- once upon a time
the classic fairy-tale opener; more specific to children's stories
文法句型
there + once + lived/was/were
there + lived/was/were
用法筆記
Almost exclusive to written narratives and oral storytelling. Not used in everyday conversation except when telling a joke or anecdote in a playful tone.
6. at a particular moment or stage within a story, discussion, or process — referri
at a particular moment or stage within a story, discussion, or process — referring back to a point just mentioned.
Michael finished his speech, and there the audience began to clap.
and there — at that moment in a sequence
We had been saving for months, and there our dream finally felt real.
The two sides argued for an hour, and there the meeting ended.
Gabriela explained the whole plan, and there everyone understood.
- then
more general; 'then' marks time sequence, while 'there' emphasises reaching a particular stage
- at that point
more explicit and formal
用法筆記
Often appears in narrative sequences after 'and' ('and there...') to mark a turning point or result. Can also appear in mid-sentence: 'We left it there.'
7. in relation to a particular matter, aspect, or topic that has just been mentione
in relation to a particular matter, aspect, or topic that has just been mentioned — often used to agree or disagree on one specific point.
You may be right about the cost, but there I disagree with your plan.
there I disagree — in that specific matter
The car is old and needs repairs, but there my father sees its value.
The new schedule sounds good, but there I have some real concerns.
Eitan was wrong about the date, but there we all made the same error.
- on that point
more formal and explicit
- in that regard
formal; used in written and academic English
用法筆記
Typically used in contrastive or concessive sentences after 'but' ('but there...'). Can also appear as 'There, you are wrong' at the start of a clause.
there — exclamation
1. said to comfort someone who is upset, or to express satisfaction that something
said to comfort someone who is upset, or to express satisfaction that something has turned out well — for example, soothing a crying child or celebrating a finished task.
There, there, don't cry. Everything will be just fine.
there, there — comforting someone who is upset
There, I knew you could do it! You finished the whole race!
there! — expressing satisfaction
There, there, little one. Let me help you stand back up.
There! The cake is ready and it looks wonderful.
- there there
the full repeated form; used only for comfort, not satisfaction
- well done
for satisfaction only; does not carry a comforting meaning
用法筆記
When comforting, usually repeated ('There, there...'). When expressing satisfaction, said once with emphasis ('There!'). Can be directed at babies, children, pets, or close friends.
there — noun
1. the location being discussed — referring back to a place already named or unders
the location being discussed — referring back to a place already named or understood from context.
Niran lives near the beach, so we often go there on weekends.
go there — noun use: that place
I have never been there, but Cole says it is very beautiful.
Put the box down there, next to the other boxes by the door.
From there, you can see the whole harbour and all the boats.
- that place
more explicit; used for emphasis or clarity
- that spot
informal; sounds more specific
- here
this place where the speaker is
用法筆記
Functions as the object of a preposition ('from there', 'near there', 'up to there') or as a direct object ('leave there', 'reach there'). Not used with an article: 'the there' is incorrect.
常見錯誤
2. that point or stage in a conversation, argument, or process — referring back to
that point or stage in a conversation, argument, or process — referring back to a moment just mentioned.
We agreed on most things, but there we could not find common ground.
but there — at that point in the discussion
The discussion was helpful up to there, and then it became confusing.
up to there — until that point
Stop there, you have said quite enough for one evening.
We will continue the discussion from there at the next meeting.
- that point
more explicit; interchangeable in most contexts
用法筆記
Often follows prepositions like 'up to', 'from', or appears after 'stop' or 'leave'. Can refer to a limit: 'We will go up to there and no further.'