On using “to what extent there exist”

Question

Is the phrase

to what extent there exist

a correct phrase? For example:

To what extent there exist disadvantaged families in this area?

I searched on it in google but did not find it used. So I am not sure if it is correct or not? Is there a better way to ask about the existence of a phenomenon in scientific research context?

Answer 1

You need a form of the verb "to do" in there somewhere:

To what extent does there exist disadvantaged families in this area?

That's a bit unusual though. It would be more idiomatic if you said:

To what extent do disadvantaged families exist in this area?