English has one more dummy subject: there. Usually, there is used as an adverb, like in the following sentences:
- I put the flowers over there.
- I studied there in the summer.
- A dog named Scampy lives there.
In Spanish, the translation for the adverb there is ahí, allí, or allá. Easy, right?
Well, not really. English also uses there as a dummy subject. Check out the following sentences:
- There is a monster under my bed.
- There are things to do.
- There is no reason to cry.
In Spanish, there + be gets translated to the verb haber:
- Hay un monstruo debajo de mi cama.
- Hay cosas que hacer.
- No hay razón para llorar.
Hmm. Where did there go?
Before you learn this construction, you might avoid it altogether because there's no direct translation. It might be a little easier once you understand it, though.
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