Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Tetsu]

Hello.

Which is correct, (1) or (2)?
Which is usually used in daily and casual conversation?
(1) There are four people in my family.
(2) Four people are in my family.

Which is correct, (3) or (4)?
Which is usually used in daily and casual conversation?
(3) How many people are there in your family?
(4) How many people are in your family?

I would be very happy if I can get a reply from an American teacher.
Thanks a lot for the help.

[CP]

Well, in the U.S., you would be much more likely to hear sentence 1 than sentence 2. Sentence 2 would sound a little strange to most people, I believe.

It's not so easy to choose between 3 and 4, though; you might hear either one, and I don't think anyone would think either one was strange.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Tetsu]

Hello CP

Thanks a lot for your kind help.
I've heard 1, but not 2. Some people use 3 and some people use 4. I've wondered which is correct for a long time. But now it's clear to me. I'm so happy to hear a judgment of American grammarian.

Thanks!

[Tetsu]

May I ask a little more?

Q1: Are the following dialogues grammatically correct?
Q2: Are the following dialogues usually used in daily and casual conversation?

D1
A: How many people are there in your family?
B: There are four.

D2
A: How many people are there in your family?
B: Four are.

D3
A: How many people are in your family?
B: There are four.

D4
A: How many people are in your family?
B: Four are.

[Jintii]

D1 and D3 are fine.

D2 and D4 are not correct, and I've never heard anyone say them.


Probably the most common dialogue in normal conversation is this:

A: How many people are (there) in your family?
B: Four.

[Tetsu]

Hello Jintii

Thanks a lot for your kind help.
I'm so happy to learn D2 and D4 are not correct. I've wondered why (4) is correct but now I understand that the usage of the sentences that belong to the type of (4) is pretty restricted, i.e. D2, D4, and (2) are incorrect, i.e. only (4) is correct among D2B, D4B, (2), and (4).

Thanks!