there be句式用于被動式

■有通常情況下，there be句式中的 be表示“存在”。如：

There are numerous islands off the coast. 海岸邊有許多島嶼。

There was a bed and a big wardrobe. 有一張床和一個大衣櫥。

There was a rainbow in the sky. 天上有一道彩虹。

If there is any problem, let me know. 如果有什么問題可以通知我。

There is only one person I could approach. 只有一個人我可以去找。

There are in China over fifty minorities besides the Han nationality. 在中國除了漢族還有五十多個少數民族。

There is a lack of communication between the young and the old. 年輕人和老人之間溝通不足。

■但是，有時there be結構還可用被動式，這時be即變成了助動詞，如：

There are now published thousands and millions of books every year. 現在每年出版上億冊書。

On the following day, there was held a splendid banquet. 第二天舉行了盛大的宴會。