There There
Or: Sentences That Don’t Want to Take Responsibility
Welcome back to Word Nerd Wednesday, where we examine words that technically form sentences and still avoid doing any real work—like your ex, who was “between things” for a suspiciously long time.
Today’s focus is on two phrases that appear constantly in professional writing, especially emails, reports, and websites:
there is
there are
They are polite.
They are noncommittal.
They are deeply uncomfortable with ownership.
What “There Is” Is Actually Doing
When a sentence starts with there is or there are, it usually means the writer is trying not to commit.
Examples:
There is a concern about the timeline.
There are several options to consider.
There is an opportunity to improve communication.
Notice what’s missing.
Who is concerned?
Who is considering the options?
Who is improving communication?
There knows.
There is not telling.
I see this all the everloving time in client work—smart people writing sentences that sound safe but say very little.
Why Writers Reach for “There Is”
Because it feels neutral.
Because it sounds professional.
Because it lets you float an idea without owning it.
It’s the linguistic equivalent of saying,
“People are saying…”
and then quietly backing out of the room.
The Cost of Leading With “There”
Sentences that start with there is or there are tend to be:
longer than necessary
less specific
easier to ignore
They delay the real subject of the sentence, which means your reader has to wait to find out what actually matters.
Busy readers do not enjoy suspense.
The Simple Fix
Most of the time, the fix is just to move the real subject to the front.
There is a concern about the timeline.
becomes
The timeline raises concerns.There are several options to consider.
becomes
We have several options to consider.
(or, if you’re feeling bold)
We should consider several options.
Look at that.
Now someone owns it.
When “There Is” Might Be Fine
Yes, there are moments when there is makes sense.
Lists.
Scene-setting.
Actual descriptions of existence.
But if you’re writing for work, nine times out of ten, there is is a stall tactic.
And your reader can feel it.
The Lesson
You don’t need to eliminate there is and there are entirely.
You just need to notice when they’re avoiding responsibility.
Ask yourself:
What is the real subject here?
Who owns this idea?
What happens if I lead with that instead?
“There is” prefers to stay vague, noncommittal, and technically present.
Which, again, may remind you of your ex.
Why This Matters
Writing that avoids ownership sounds cautious.
It also sounds unconvincing.
If you want your reader to trust you, your sentences need to know who’s doing what.
There would rather not.
Next time you edit your writing, do a quick search for there is and there are. Treat it like a cleanup pass.
Your sentences will get clearer when they stop hiding behind there.
You already dealt with one relationship like that. You don’t need another.
If something you’re writing feels off, it usually is.
Most of the time, it’s not the idea—it’s how it’s being framed and who’s (not) owning it.
This is the work I do: clarifying what’s actually being said so it lands the way it should.You can read more about my copywriting and writing coaching work at www.judi411.com
"Who owns this idea?" yep