There or It?
In English, every sentence usually needs a subject. Sometimes there is no real person or thing acting, so we use it or there as a subject.
There is/are – something exists
We use there is/are when we say that something exists or is present. The real thing comes after is/are.
- There is a dictionary on the table.
- There are twelve months in a year.
- Is there a cinema in this town?
- There is a lot of snow in winter.
- How much milk is there in the jug?
It – a general situation
We use it when talking about time, weather, distance, dates, or when we refer to something already known.
- It is five o'clock. (time)
- It snows a lot in winter. (weather)
- How far is it from Houston to Dallas? (distance)
- It is Mike's birthday today. (date)
- I don't like this cake. It is too sweet. (known thing)
Quick reference
- There is/are + thing → something exists
There is a problem. - It + situation → time, weather, distance, dates, opinions
It is cold.
