Chapter: Introductory ‘it’ and ‘there’
📚 Vocabulary
English Grammar and Composition Classes Nine and Ten
⭐ Most Important Exam Words
existexistencepresenceabsencedistanceweatherqualitysituationwonderfulimportantpleasantnecessarypossibleimpossiblecampusmigratoryscenicflockbloomenchantingthere isthere arethere wasthere wereit isit wasempty subjectdummy subjectrewritemeaningsubjectforbiddenpolitevaluable
📃 Word Formation Rules
► Use there + be to introduce the existence or presence of something: There is a book. There are books.
► Use there was with a singular noun and there were with a plural noun in the past: There was a bird. There were birds.
► Use introductory it for time, distance, weather and the nature or quality of a place: It is five o’clock. It is raining. It is quiet here.
► Use it + be + adjective + to-infinitive to express an opinion or feeling: It is important to study.
► Use it + be + adjective + that-clause to express an opinion or fact: It is good that you help others.
► Form nouns by adding -ence or -ance: exist → existence; absent → absence; present → presence.
► Form adjectives by adding -ful: wonder → wonderful; beauty → beautiful; meaning → meaningful.
► Form negative adjectives with prefixes: possible → impossible; available → unavailable; necessary → unnecessary.
► Form adjectives with -ic: scene → scenic; importance → important is formed with -ant.
► Use plural agreement after there when the real subject is plural, even though there itself is not plural: There are many students.
1. Introductory There: Existence and Presence (8 words)
exist[/ɪɡˈzɪst/]verbmedium
Meaning: অস্তিত্ব থাকা
Alt: বিদ্যমান থাকা
Example: There are many ways to learn English.
Syn: liveAnt: disappear
💡 Exam tip: Use there to introduce the existence or presence of something.
existence[/ɪɡˈzɪstəns/]nounmedium
Meaning: অস্তিত্ব
Alt: বিদ্যমানতা
Example: There is no evidence of the existence of life on that planet.
Syn: presenceAnt: absence
💡 Exam tip: Existence is the noun form of exist.
presence[/ˈprezəns/]nouneasy
Meaning: উপস্থিতি
Alt: উপস্থিত থাকা
Example: There was a large crowd in the field.
Syn: appearanceAnt: absence
💡 Exam tip: There is or there are can introduce the presence of people or things.
absence[/ˈæbsəns/]nounmedium
Meaning: অনুপস্থিতি
Alt: না থাকা
Example: There was an absence of fresh air in the room.
Syn: nonattendanceAnt: presence
💡 Exam tip: Absence means the state of not being present.
remain[/rɪˈmeɪn/]verbmedium
Meaning: থেকে যাওয়া
Alt: অবশিষ্ট থাকা
Example: There remained only a few seats in the hall.
Syn: stayAnt: leave
💡 Exam tip: Remain may follow there in formal sentences.
occur[/əˈkɜːr/]verbhard
Meaning: ঘটা
Alt: সংঘটিত হওয়া
Example: There occurred a sudden change in the weather.
Syn: happenAnt: cease
💡 Exam tip: Occur is a formal alternative to happen.
available[/əˈveɪləbl/]adjmedium
Meaning: উপলভ্য
Alt: ব্যবহারের জন্য পাওয়া যায় এমন
Example: There are several books available in the library.
Syn: accessibleAnt: unavailable
💡 Exam tip: Available often follows the noun introduced by there.
located[/ləʊˈkeɪtɪd/]adjmedium
Meaning: অবস্থিত
Alt: কোনো স্থানে থাকা
Example: There is a museum located near the university.
Syn: situatedAnt: displaced
💡 Exam tip: Located means situated in a particular place.
2. Introductory It: Reference and Description (8 words)
refer[/rɪˈfɜːr/]verbmedium
Meaning: উল্লেখ করা
Alt: নির্দেশ করা
Example: The word it may refer to something already mentioned.
Syn: mentionAnt: ignore
💡 Exam tip: Use it when referring to a previously mentioned thing or situation.
reference[/ˈrefrəns/]nounmedium
Meaning: উল্লেখ
Alt: নির্দেশ বা সূত্র
Example: The pronoun it makes a clear reference to the bird.
Syn: mentionAnt: omission
💡 Exam tip: Reference means a connection with something previously stated.
distance[/ˈdɪstəns/]nouneasy
Meaning: দূরত্ব
Alt: দূরের পরিমাণ
Example: It is ten kilometres from the village to the town.
Syn: intervalAnt: nearness
💡 Exam tip: Use introductory it to state distance: It is ... from ... to ... .
quality[/ˈkwɒləti/]nouneasy
Meaning: গুণ
Alt: মান বা বৈশিষ্ট্য
Example: It is quiet and peaceful beside the lake.
Syn: natureAnt: inferiority
💡 Exam tip: It can describe the nature or quality of a place.
weather[/ˈweðə(r)/]nouneasy
Meaning: আবহাওয়া
Alt: বায়ুমণ্ডলের অবস্থা
Example: It is raining heavily today.
Syn: climateAnt: -
💡 Exam tip: Use it as the subject in weather expressions.
climate[/ˈklaɪmət/]nounmedium
Meaning: জলবায়ু
Alt: দীর্ঘ সময়ের আবহাওয়ার ধরন
Example: It is difficult to predict the climate of the distant future.
Syn: weatherAnt: -
💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse climate with daily weather.
situation[/ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: পরিস্থিতি
Alt: অবস্থা
Example: It is hard to understand the situation without more information.
Syn: conditionAnt: certainty
💡 Exam tip: Introductory it may refer to a general situation.
condition[/kənˈdɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: অবস্থা
Alt: শর্ত
Example: It is important to keep the classroom in good condition.
Syn: stateAnt: disorder
💡 Exam tip: Condition may mean either state or requirement, depending on context.
3. It + Be + Adjective: Feelings and Judgements (8 words)
wonderful[/ˈwʌndəfəl/]adjeasy
Meaning: চমৎকার
Alt: অসাধারণ
Example: It was wonderful to watch the migratory birds.
Syn: excellentAnt: terrible
💡 Exam tip: Use it was wonderful to + verb to express a positive feeling.
important[/ɪmˈpɔːtənt/]adjeasy
Meaning: গুরুত্বপূর্ণ
Alt: তাৎপর্যপূর্ণ
Example: It is important to obey the rules.
Syn: significantAnt: unimportant
💡 Exam tip: A common pattern is It is important to + base verb.
pleasant[/ˈplezənt/]adjeasy
Meaning: আনন্দদায়ক
Alt: মনোরম
Example: It was a pleasant journey from Dhaka to Savar.
Syn: enjoyableAnt: unpleasant
💡 Exam tip: Pleasant describes something that gives pleasure.
splendid[/ˈsplendɪd/]adjmedium
Meaning: দুর্দান্ত
Alt: জাঁকজমকপূর্ণ বা চমৎকার
Example: It was a splendid experience for the visitors.
Syn: magnificentAnt: ordinary
💡 Exam tip: Splendid is a strong positive adjective.
necessary[/ˈnesəsəri/]adjeasy
Meaning: প্রয়োজনীয়
Alt: অপরিহার্য
Example: It is necessary to arrive before the examination begins.
Syn: essentialAnt: unnecessary
💡 Exam tip: Use it is necessary to + verb for advice or requirement.
difficult[/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/]adjeasy
Meaning: কঠিন
Alt: দুরূহ
Example: It is difficult to solve this problem without practice.
Syn: hardAnt: easy
💡 Exam tip: The structure It is difficult to + verb is frequently tested.
possible[/ˈpɒsəbl/]adjeasy
Meaning: সম্ভব
Alt: ঘটতে পারে এমন
Example: It is possible to complete the work today.
Syn: feasibleAnt: impossible
💡 Exam tip: Use possible after it is to show possibility.
impossible[/ɪmˈpɒsəbl/]adjeasy
Meaning: অসম্ভব
Alt: করা যায় না এমন
Example: It is impossible to finish the task without help.
Syn: unachievableAnt: possible
💡 Exam tip: Impossible is formed by adding im- to possible.
4. Places, Nature and the Savar Passage (8 words)
campus[/ˈkæmpəs/]nouneasy
Meaning: শিক্ষাঙ্গন
Alt: বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের প্রাঙ্গণ
Example: There is a beautiful lake on the university campus.
Syn: groundsAnt: -
💡 Exam tip: Campus is a place where a school, college or university is situated.
migratory[/ˈmaɪɡrətri/]adjmedium
Meaning: পরিযায়ী
Alt: ঋতুভেদে স্থান পরিবর্তনকারী
Example: There were many migratory birds in the lake area.
Syn: wanderingAnt: resident
💡 Exam tip: Migratory commonly describes birds that move seasonally.
scenic[/ˈsiːnɪk/]adjmedium
Meaning: মনোরম দৃশ্যসংবলিত
Alt: প্রাকৃতিক সৌন্দর্যময়
Example: The scenic beauty of the place attracted the tourists.
Syn: picturesqueAnt: unattractive
💡 Exam tip: Scenic is related to beautiful natural views.
beauty[/ˈbjuːti/]nouneasy
Meaning: সৌন্দর্য
Alt: মনোহরতা
Example: The beauty of the lake charmed the visitors.
Syn: lovelinessAnt: ugliness
💡 Exam tip: Beauty is the noun form of beautiful.
flock[/flɒk/]nouneasy
Meaning: পাখির ঝাঁক
Alt: দল
Example: A flock of birds was circling in the sky.
Syn: groupAnt: individual
💡 Exam tip: Flock is commonly used for a group of birds.
bloom[/bluːm/]verbeasy
Meaning: ফোটা
Alt: প্রস্ফুটিত হওয়া
Example: The water lilies bloom in winter.
Syn: blossomAnt: wither
💡 Exam tip: Bloom may be used as a verb or a noun.
enchanting[/ɪnˈtʃɑːntɪŋ/]adjmedium
Meaning: মোহনীয়
Alt: মুগ্ধকর
Example: There was an enchanting sound of birds around us.
Syn: charmingAnt: unpleasant
💡 Exam tip: Enchanted means fascinated; enchanting means causing fascination.
chirp[/tʃɜːp/]verbeasy
Meaning: কিচিরমিচির করা
Alt: পাখির মিষ্টি শব্দ করা
Example: We heard birds chirping in the trees.
Syn: twitterAnt: -
💡 Exam tip: Chirp is generally used for the sound made by small birds.
5. Common Patterns with There and It (8 words)
there is[/ðeər ɪz/]verbeasy
Meaning: আছে বা বিদ্যমান
Alt: একবচন অস্তিত্ব বোঝায়
Example: There is a lake near the campus.
Syn: existsAnt: there is not
💡 Exam tip: Use there is before a singular noun or an uncountable noun.
there are[/ðeər ɑː(r)/]verbeasy
Meaning: আছে বা বিদ্যমান
Alt: বহুবচন অস্তিত্ব বোঝায়
Example: There are hundreds of birds on the lake.
Syn: existAnt: there are not
💡 Exam tip: Use there are before a plural noun.
there was[/ðeə wɒz/]verbeasy
Meaning: ছিল বা বিদ্যমান ছিল
Alt: অতীতের একবচন অস্তিত্ব
Example: There was a goldfish in the bowl.
Syn: existedAnt: there was not
💡 Exam tip: Use there was with singular nouns in the past.
there were[/ðeə wɜː(r)/]verbeasy
Meaning: ছিল বা বিদ্যমান ছিল
Alt: অতীতের বহুবচন অস্তিত্ব
Example: There were two dogs near the gate.
Syn: existedAnt: there were not
💡 Exam tip: Use there were with plural nouns in the past.
it is[/ɪt ɪz/]verbeasy
Meaning: এটি হয় বা এটি আছে
Alt: বর্তমান অবস্থা বোঝায়
Example: It is a beautiful campus.
Syn: this isAnt: it is not
💡 Exam tip: It is may identify something or describe its present condition.
it was[/ɪt wɒz/]verbeasy
Meaning: এটি ছিল
Alt: অতীত অবস্থা বোঝায়
Example: It was a pleasant journey.
Syn: that wasAnt: it was not
💡 Exam tip: It was is used for past identification, time, weather or description.
empty subject[/ˈempti ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/]nounhard
Meaning: অর্থহীন কর্তা
Alt: ব্যাকরণগতভাবে ব্যবহৃত কাল্পনিক subject
Example: There in There is a lake is an empty subject.
Syn: dummy subjectAnt: real subject
💡 Exam tip: Introductory it and there are called empty or dummy subjects.
dummy subject[/ˈdʌmi ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/]nounhard
Meaning: নামমাত্র কর্তা
Alt: বাক্যের গঠন পূরণকারী subject
Example: It in It is raining is a dummy subject.
Syn: empty subjectAnt: meaningful subject
💡 Exam tip: A dummy subject has a grammatical function but no separate lexical meaning.
6. Exam Action Words and Context Vocabulary (8 words)
rewrite[/ˌriːˈraɪt/]verbeasy
Meaning: পুনরায় লেখা
Alt: নতুনভাবে লেখা
Example: Rewrite the sentence using introductory it.
Syn: rephraseAnt: retain
💡 Exam tip: In transformation questions, preserve the original meaning while changing the structure.
meaning[/ˈmiːnɪŋ/]nouneasy
Meaning: অর্থ
Alt: তাৎপর্য
Example: Rewrite the sentence without changing its meaning.
Syn: senseAnt: meaninglessness
💡 Exam tip: Meaning must remain unchanged in sentence transformation.
sentence[/ˈsentəns/]nouneasy
Meaning: বাক্য
Alt: সম্পূর্ণ ভাব প্রকাশকারী শব্দসমষ্টি
Example: Every sentence must have a subject.
Syn: statementAnt: fragment
💡 Exam tip: A sentence normally contains a subject and a finite verb.
subject[/ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/]nouneasy
Meaning: কর্তা
Alt: বাক্যে যার সম্পর্কে বলা হয়
Example: The subject usually comes before the verb.
Syn: topicAnt: object
💡 Exam tip: Identify whether the subject is real or introductory.
follow[/ˈfɒləʊ/]verbeasy
Meaning: অনুসরণ করা
Alt: পরে আসা
Example: There is followed by a singular noun in this example.
Syn: come afterAnt: precede
💡 Exam tip: There is followed by be and then the real subject in the basic pattern.
forbidden[/fəˈbɪdn/]adjmedium
Meaning: নিষিদ্ধ
Alt: অনুমোদিত নয় এমন
Example: Using a mobile phone in the examination hall is forbidden.
Syn: prohibitedAnt: allowed
💡 Exam tip: It is forbidden to use a mobile phone is an alternative structure.
polite[/pəˈlaɪt/]adjeasy
Meaning: ভদ্র
Alt: শিষ্টাচারপূর্ণ
Example: It is polite to say sorry after making a mistake.
Syn: courteousAnt: rude
💡 Exam tip: Use It is polite to + verb to express proper behaviour.
valuable[/ˈvæljuəbl/]adjmedium
Meaning: মূল্যবান
Alt: দামি বা গুরুত্বপূর্ণ
Example: Is there anything valuable in the parcel?
Syn: preciousAnt: worthless
💡 Exam tip: Anything valuable is singular in grammatical agreement, so use is.
💡 Exam Tips
• In There is or There are sentences, identify the real subject after be to choose the correct verb.
• Use there to say that something exists or existed; use it to identify, describe or comment on something.
• Do not change the original meaning when rewriting a sentence with introductory it or there.
• For a singular noun or an uncountable noun, use there is or there was.
• For a plural noun, use there are or there were.
• In It is raining, it does not refer to any particular object; it is an empty subject.
• In It is important to obey the rules, the real idea is to obey the rules.
• A sentence such as A lady is waiting downstairs can be rewritten as There is a lady waiting downstairs.
• A sentence such as Saying sorry is polite can be rewritten as It is polite to say sorry.
• Remember that it is used for time, distance, weather and the quality of a place.