Geoff,

Granted.

I spend a little time with them first looking at the ambiguity that exists between locative and the existential uses of "there" at the beginning of an expression. I do not mean to be hard and fast in taking away their "there" (no pun). I want them to be deliberate in understanding which use the author has in mind, even when they are the author, and it is more difficult to hear that use on paper than it is while conversing.

With "because", they cheat with "since"; and "however", is useful instead of "and"; and we like to occasionally split infinitives.


Grace and Peace,

William R. D. Hillaker, M.Div
English
The Classical Academy
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Teaching faithful students who will be able to teacher others also.

Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it, but those who fail to learn the lessons of history are just doomed.

Would you take a few minutes from your busy day and send me an essay responding to the following question: Why has feeling good and looking good replaced being good and doing good?

500 words ought to do it.

>>> Geoffrey Layton <[log in to unmask]> 10/28/10 11:20 AM >>>
This sounds a little extreme- sort of in the same league as never starting a sentence with because, but, or and; or never ending a sentence with a preposition; or never splitting an infinitive.  Not allowing sentences to start with "there" limits rhetorical effectiveness - "There are many reasons why I like to start sentences with 'there'" seems more powerful than "I like to start sentences with 'there' for many reasons."

Geoff Layton

My students are not allowed to write sentences beginning with THERE by reason of the unnecessary confusion. If they are writing dialogue, then I lift the rule, because vocal inflections to overcome the confusion.

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