>Michael,
I like Bruce's explanation. Functional grammar (SFG) would call it an
"existential" clause. "There" is only a placemarker. "A very big
difference between coca and cocaine" is the subject, and about all
we're predicating is that the difference exists.
"Is" isn't really a linking verb here because nothing is being linked.
Craig
> How would you diagram "There is a very big difference between coca and
> cocaine"?
>
> Specifically, would you see the prepositional phrase as modifying
> "difference" or "is"?
>
> Thanks.
>
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