In the beginning, Thomas and Linda indicate that the incorporation of the word there at the beginning of a sentence is not ideal since it implies that there is an appearance of being real, but lacking capacity to function (N.Huckin & Pesante, 1988, pp. 368-369).According to the duo, if a writer begins a sentence using there, the sentence not only becomes equivocal but awkward, as well. They proceed to put their perception to test by evaluating the relevance of the common handbooks warning towards writers not to commence their sentences with there. At this juncture, both Thomas and Linda assert that even though the handbooks play a central role in influencing the nature of the form and style that is employed in writing. There is no vindication that the prescriptive handbook rules should be exempted from qualitative and quantitative analysis (N.Huckin & Pesante, 1988, p. 374).
Thus, Thomas and Linda proceed to make references from the works of people whom they deem to be expert writers capable of making minute mistakes, if any, in their work. They make references from a 100,000 word sample which they acquire from the works of these expert writers to ascertain the frequency with which these proficient writers begin their sentences with there (N.Huckin & Pesante, 1988, p. 375).
Compendiously, Thomas and Linda seem to suggest that any writer who intends to add a tinge of excitement to their work should make an attempt at reducing their reliance on there are or there is in sentence constructs since these particular words possess a potential threat of making ones` work monotonous. Contrary to their initial take with regards to the use of there, Thomas and Linda, seems to loosen their grip on this matter after obtaining empirical evidence that even the most prolific writers use there at the beginning of their sentences. But they are quick to pinpoint that these expert writers bend the guidelines in the handbooks only for fundamental rhetorical and linguistic intentions.
It can easily be observed that Thomas and Linda have presented an unbiased opinion on the use of there at the beginning of sentences by exploring both positive and negative attributes. Moreover, they have laid down a firm foundation for their work by providing us with empirical results in the form of the statistical data that they had collected. However, the downside of their work is that they fail to answer a fundamental question: What differences are there those dictate the frequency in which the construct is used? Furthermore, the flow of their work features a windowpane of contradiction since they are seeking to prove that there is a trivial justification in inducing a prescription that is against existential there (N.Huckin & Pesante, 1988, p. 370), and this is in conflict with their initial opinion at the beginning of their article.
Works Cited
N.Huckin, T., & Pesante, L. H. (1988). Existential There. SAGE Journal, 368-369.
