存在句的非限定形式是there to be和there being結構。這兩種結構在用法上有相同點。為便于比較，我們把它們放在一起介紹。

1） 作介詞補足成分

兩種結構都可作介詞補足成分。如果介詞是for，便只能用there to be結構。

Eg.) It is too early for there to be anyone around here.

It is important for there to be a fire escape.

也能用在不及物動詞+for之后:

They planned for there to be another meeting.

如果介詞不是for, 則要用 there being結構。

Eg.) John was relying on there being another opportunity.

----We didn’t find Smith attending the lecture.

----No one told him about there being a lecture the following day.

2） 作賓語

作賓語時, 通常用there to be結構。

Eg.) Members like there to be plenty of choices.

能這樣用的及物動詞為數有限,常見的有expect, mean, intend, want, like, prefer, hate等。

3） 作主語和狀語

there being結構還能用作主語和狀語。

Eg.) There being a bus stop so near the house is a great advantage.

There having been no rain, the ground was dry.

存在句的限定形式與非限定形式之間可以相互轉換。

For there to be so few people in the streets was unusual.

(=It was unusual for there to be so few people in the streets.)

有時限定形式與非限定形式還可以結合使用。

Eg.) It is said that there are troops on the frontier.

=There are said to be troops on the frontier.

Exercise:

Fill in gaps with there to be or there being:

1. People don’t want ______________ another war.

2. There’s now some hope of ______ a settlement of the dispute.

3. They asked for _______ another meeting.

4. John asked about ______ another meeting.

5. John intended _______ a meeting afterwards.

6. It’s essential for ______ more houses built next year.

7. ____________ no further business, the chairman closed the meeting.

8. John planned on ______ another meeting.

9. People hate ________ queues everywhere.

10. What John was waiting for was for _____ complete silence.

關系代詞的省略:

1. This is the fastest train there is to Beijing.

2. He asks for the latest book there is on the shelf.

3. ---- What did the football player you were talking to want?

---- He would like to read or listen to an account of everything there is going on in the world.