There’s the Question of Cost: Known Information with There

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There’s the Question of Cost: Known Information with There

In this lesson, you can interpret a definite there-construction as presenting an available consideration.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Before you start

Introduce a known remaining consideration.

See one possible response

There’s still the question of cost.

A fictional event-planning conversation lists known options and reminds participants of an overlooked cost issue.

What you will practise
  • Interpret a definite there-construction as presenting an available consideration.
  • Use a definite existential to raise an overlooked issue without adding a verdict.
  • Select or repair the construction using the listener’s knowledge and the conversation’s purpose.

Respond before revealing. Preserve scope, attribution and evidence limits. A defensible alternative or genuine ambiguity must not be marked wrong merely for differing from the model.

Presenting an option already known

There’s the library, when answering Where could we meet?, presents a familiar place as an available option. It does not announce the library’s creation. Definite noun phrases can occur naturally in such listing or reminding contexts.

We need a quiet venue. There’s the library, of course.

There’s the room we used last month, if it is free.

They consider the familiar library as a quiet venue, pointing to an existing library model with bookshelves beside an event notebook. No new construction, opening ceremony or claim that the library was created.
We need a quiet venue. There’s the library, of course.The sentence does not announce the library’s creation.

Remind the listener of a known issue

There’s the question of cost brings a known or identifiable issue into the current discussion. The construction can shift attention rather than introduce a new entity. It does not itself say how the issue should be resolved.

There’s still the question of transport to consider.

There’s the problem we discussed yesterday; it hasn’t disappeared.

Raising a consideration does not resolve it

Issue brought backThere’s still the question of cost.

Cost needs attention in this discussion.

Decision still openCan we afford it? Which option should we choose?

The reminder gives neither answer.

Retain the known issue when paraphrasing, without turning it into a rejection or approval.

Choose for discourse, not a blanket rule

A neutral description of newly introduced objects often prefers an indefinite: There’s a spare chair. A definite form needs an appropriate context or identifying description. The lesson’s list/reminder uses are not permission to insert the before every new noun.

There’s a spare chair by the window.

For a backup, there’s the folding chair you brought yesterday.

They notice a single spare chair beside an isolated window panel, drawing attention to its availability with an open gesture. Keep the chair empty, with white through the window.
There’s a spare chair by the window.An indefinite is natural for this neutral introduction.

Guided practice

Say or write your answer first. Then compare the meaning and grammar with the model.

1. Where could we meet? There’s the library. Is the library being announced as newly built?

Compare a model and explanation

No.

It is being presented as an option.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

2. The team has forgotten a known transport problem. Use a definite there-construction.

Compare a model and explanation

There’s still the transport problem we discussed.

The phrase recalls an identifiable consideration.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

3. There’s a spare chair and There’s the chair you brought: what differs?

Compare a model and explanation

The first introduces an item; the second points to an identifiable one.

The context supplies different discourse work.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

4. Definite noun phrases can never follow there is.

Compare a model and explanation

They can occur in listing, reminding and other suitable contexts.

The construction depends on discourse conditions, not an absolute article ban.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

5. Every brand-new object should therefore be introduced with the after there is.

Compare a model and explanation

No; a definite description still needs an appropriate basis for identification.

A licensed special context does not erase reference requirements.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

6. There’s the library, if it is free. Can you report the venue is confirmed?

Compare a model and explanation

No.

Availability remains conditional.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

7. There’s the question of cost. Does the speaker necessarily reject the plan?

Compare a model and explanation

No.

Raising the issue does not decide its outcome.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

8. A team needs a backup venue; last month’s room is known but not confirmed, and transport remains unresolved.

Compare a model and explanation

There’s the room we used last month, if it is available. There’s also the question of transport to settle.

The option and unresolved issue are presented without invented confirmation.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

A short conversation

Listen to the exchange, then take one role. The speaker labels identify roles; do not narrate them.

Open the conversation transcript

Planner: We need a backup venue.

Member: There’s the library, though we haven’t checked availability.

Planner: True. And there’s still the question of transport.

Member: Then let’s check both before calling the plan confirmed.

Listening checks

Listen to each extract, then choose the best answer. These three questions have their own score.

1. What is the library’s status?
Read the listening transcript

Where could we hold the reading? There’s the library, of course, but we still need to ask whether it is free.

2. What is the speaker doing?
Read the listening transcript

There’s still the question of cost. I’m not rejecting the plan; I’m asking us to consider that issue.

3. How does the second chair phrase work?
Read the listening transcript

There’s a spare chair by the window. For the guest who needs a higher seat, there’s the chair we used yesterday.

Answer key with explanations

  1. What is the library’s status?

    A known option with unconfirmed availability.: The conversation presents an option and an explicit condition.

    Compare all choices
    • A confirmed booking.: Availability has not been checked.
    • A known option with unconfirmed availability.: The conversation presents an option and an explicit condition.
    • A newly constructed building announced for the first time.: Construction is not discussed.

  2. What is the speaker doing?

    Raising an unresolved consideration.: The speaker explicitly distinguishes discussion from rejection.

    Compare all choices
    • Stating an exact price.: No amount is given.
    • Announcing a final rejection.: That is denied.
    • Raising an unresolved consideration.: The speaker explicitly distinguishes discussion from rejection.

  3. How does the second chair phrase work?

    It identifies a familiar option by its previous use.: The relative clause supplies an identifying basis.

    Compare all choices
    • It identifies a familiar option by its previous use.: The relative clause supplies an identifying basis.
    • It necessarily refers to a chair created that instant.: No creation event is stated.
    • It denies the existence of the first chair.: Both can be available.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.

1. Which context naturally supports There’s the library?
2. What does There’s the question of cost necessarily provide?
3. Which preserves unconfirmed availability?
4. Which introduces a previously unmentioned item neutrally?
5. Why is a definite phrase possible in a reminder?
6. Does one licensed definite use make all definite existentials equally natural?
7. Which plain reformulation preserves There’s still the issue we discussed?
8. What should a listener avoid inferring from an option list?
Answer key with explanations

  1. Which context naturally supports There’s the library?

    A discussion of familiar possible venues.: It presents a known option.

    Compare all choices
    • A discussion of familiar possible venues.: It presents a known option.
    • A claim that the word the always introduces unknown items.: That is not its reference function.
    • A rule requiring every existential to be indefinite without exception.: The example shows a suitable definite use.

  2. What does There’s the question of cost necessarily provide?

    An issue for attention in the given context.: It raises the consideration.

    Compare all choices
    • An exact budget total.: No figure is encoded.
    • An issue for attention in the given context.: It raises the consideration.
    • A final rejection of the proposal.: That conclusion needs more context.

  3. Which preserves unconfirmed availability?

    There’s the room we used last time, if it is free.: The option is conditional.

    Compare all choices
    • The room is booked and guaranteed.: This adds confirmation.
    • The room does not exist because we have not booked it.: Booking and existence are different.
    • There’s the room we used last time, if it is free.: The option is conditional.

  4. Which introduces a previously unmentioned item neutrally?

    There’s a spare chair by the window.: The indefinite introduces it.

    Compare all choices
    • There’s a spare chair by the window.: The indefinite introduces it.
    • The existence of any chair is impossible.: That is a different claim.
    • There’s the chair you already know, although you have no way to identify it.: This fabricates the identifying basis.

  5. Why is a definite phrase possible in a reminder?

    The referent or issue is identifiable and relevant to the discussion.: Discourse context licenses the use.

    Compare all choices
    • Because articles have no meaning after there.: Reference still matters.
    • The referent or issue is identifiable and relevant to the discussion.: Discourse context licenses the use.
    • Because the noun must be plural.: Singular definite examples are possible.

  6. Does one licensed definite use make all definite existentials equally natural?

    No.: Context and construction type still matter.

    Compare all choices
    • Only if spoken loudly.: Loudness is not a general licensing rule.
    • Yes, every new noun should take the.: That overgeneralises.
    • No.: Context and construction type still matter.

  7. Which plain reformulation preserves There’s still the issue we discussed?

    The issue we discussed still needs attention.: The known unresolved consideration remains.

    Compare all choices
    • The issue we discussed still needs attention.: The known unresolved consideration remains.
    • The issue has been completely resolved.: That reverses its status.
    • A wholly unrelated issue has just been invented.: That changes identity and novelty.

  8. What should a listener avoid inferring from an option list?

    That every listed option is available or chosen.: Listing alone is not confirmation or selection.

    Compare all choices
    • That the speaker is presenting alternatives.: That is explicit in the context.
    • That every listed option is available or chosen.: Listing alone is not confirmation or selection.
    • That the options are relevant to the discussion.: Relevance is their function here.

Use it in your own words

Offer a known option

Answer a request for alternatives using a definite there-construction and an availability qualification.

Reveal a possible response

There’s the café we used last month, if it has enough space.

  • Make the referent identifiable
  • Keep the condition open

Use an invented arrangement.

Raise without rejecting

Remind a group of an unresolved issue and explicitly separate raising it from deciding against the plan.

Reveal a possible response

There’s still the question of timing. I’m not against the idea; I want us to check whether everyone can attend.

  • State the issue
  • Avoid an unsupported verdict

Other practical considerations are welcome.

Put it all together

A fictional group needs a reading venue. One familiar room may be free, a newly mentioned smaller room is available and transport remains unresolved. Present all three accurately.

Reveal a possible response

There’s the room we used last month, though its availability is unconfirmed. There’s also a smaller room that is available. We still have the transport question to settle before choosing.

  • Distinguish familiar option and newly introduced item
  • Preserve availability status
  • Do not confuse a consideration with a decision

Keep the supplied facts intact in your own wording.

Take it with you

Existential there can present a known option or reminder in the right discourse. Do not apply an absolute ban on definite noun phrases. Presenting an option is not confirming a booking.