T 17 There be [S] F2 / F4

Topic  17

There be [S] F2 /F4

In Gear 2, you have learnt the Subject –Verb Agreement between ‘be’ and [S].

‘Be’ here refers to  ‘ is / are; was / were’ to agree with the subject [S] in number.

In this topic, you will learn to identify the non-finite verbs F2 / F4 after the real subject [S] .  The real subject must be a living thing.

If you want to express an active action after the subject, you use F2.

On the other hand, if you want to show a passive action after the subject [S], you use F4/ being F4.

A.  There be [S] F2…………………………………………………………………(Active Voice)

B.  There be [S] F4/being F4……………………………………………………(Passive Voice)

A.  There be [S] F2…………………………………………………………………………………………….

1.   There is [a security guard] at the gate now.

     There is [a security guard] standing at the gate now.

2.  There was [a little girl] here yesterday.

     There was [a little girl] crying loudly for her mother here yesterday.

3.  There are [so many children] in the park now.

     There are [so many children] running about happily in the park now.

4.  There were [some women] here a few days ago.

     There  were [some women] quarrelling here a few days ago.

B.  There be [S] F4…………………………………………………………………………………………….

1.  There was [a boy] here.

     There was [a boy] here beaten up by the bully.

2.  There were [some men] in my neighbourhood.

     There were [some men]  being cheated by some conmen in my neighbourhood.

3.  There is [a girl] in my school.

     There is [a girl] being awarded RM1,000 in my school for winning the game.

4.  There are [some outstanding children] in the district.

     There are [some outstanding children] in the district being selected for the singing

      competition.

When the real subject is non-living thing, then it is followed by non-finite verb

à to F1 / to be F4

There be [S] to F1  (to-infinitive)

There be [S] to be F4  (passive to-infinitive)

1.  There is [so much work]  to do.

     There is [so much work] to be done.

2.  There were [a lot of fish] to catch/ to be caught here once.

3.  There are [so many imported goods] to buy in that store.

4.  There was [so much food] to eat in that village a few years ago.

5.  There is [some homework] to do on Friday.