0

From the two following choices, is there one choice correct only or both can be correct and it's a matter of style? I'm not sure where I should to put the adverb "only" in such sentences.

"There are there only 3 papers."

or

"There are there 3 papers only."

| improve this question | |
  • Why two "there"s? Is it a typo or something? – Cardinal Apr 17 '18 at 2:15
  • 1
    No. The second is adverb (the opposite of "here"). dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/there – Judicious Allure Apr 17 '18 at 2:18
  • Oh OK, I see. that position of adverb was a little bit unfamiliar to my learner eyes. – Cardinal Apr 17 '18 at 2:22
  • You could say "There are over there only 3 papers." where "there are" refers to existence and "over there" refers to location. Though the normal phrasing would be "There are only 3 papers over there." – user3169 Apr 17 '18 at 5:24
1

Are you intending to say that there are "only" 3 papers in a specific place? If so, the correct way of saying this would be:

"There are only 3 papers there.

| improve this answer | |
  • Yes that's what I wanted to say exactly. Then "there are there" never correct? – Judicious Allure Apr 17 '18 at 2:21
  • No, it would never be correct. And I'm glad I could help. :) – Whiskers Apr 17 '18 at 2:23
  • Thank you. The same rule for "there is there". isn't it? – Judicious Allure Apr 17 '18 at 2:24
  • I guess it should be it's there not there's there (?) – Cardinal Apr 17 '18 at 2:29
  • 1
    @Archimedean_Point: "There" is an adverb of place. The general rule is that an object of place is put immediately after an intransitive verb and after the object of a transitive verb. So, it must be "There is a man there," because the adverb of place is put after the object man. – Canadian Yankee Apr 17 '18 at 14:25

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.