2.1.5.2. Existentials
As noted in the previous subsection, the verb there-be can function either as a possessive predicative or as an existential/locative. In the latter case, a locative index sign or a localizing classifier can be triggered by the existential construction.
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wall hole one cl(b): ‘circle_on_vertical_surface’.
‘The wall has a hole/There is a hole in the wall.’
(based on Quer & GRIN, 2008: 49)
However, in some cases both possessive and existential/locative constructions are formally indistinguishable. Therefore, the following examples may be interpreted either as possessive predicative or as existential constructions.
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a) printer paper there_not_be.
‘The printer has no paper/There is no paper in the printer.’
(based on Quer & GRIN, 2008: 49)
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b) winter tree leaf++ there_not_be.
‘In the winter the tree does not have leaves/there are no leaves in the tree.’
(based on Quer & GRIN, 2008: 49)
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c) pyrenees ix goat there_be.
‘The Pyrenees have goats/There are goats in the Pyrenees.’
(based on Quer & GRIN, 2008: 49)
The same negative counterpart of the sign there_be that was described for the possessive construction [SYNTAX 2.1.5.1] is found in existential constructions, namely the sign there_be_not.
Both there_be and there_be_not can be used with concrete and abstract themes.
a) mountain snow there_be.
‘There is snow on the mountains.’
(based on Quer & GRIN, 2008: 46)
b) time there_be_not.
‘There is no time left.’
(based on Quer & GRIN, 2008: 48)
c) maybe solution there_be.
‘Maybe there is a solution.’
(based on Quer & GRIN, 2008: 48)