Writing Tip of the Week: There & It Constructions

Constructions using there or it may produce wordiness.  “There are many people who like classical music.”  "Many people" is the subject of this sentence; "there are" is unnecessary.  One can rewrite this sentence as follows: “Many people like classical music.”  “It is apparent to everyone that Mary committed the crime.” The phrase beginning "it is" is unnecessary. The sentence means the same thing if "it is" is deleted: “Mary committed the crime.” However, not all phrases that begin with there or it are unnecessary. There is proper when it is the subject of the sentence. Likewise, it is proper when it depicts something definite.

Examples.

There are five reasons to take evidence.

Grapefruit is very healthy. It contains vitamin C.

(esf)