In lessons 2.9, it is written :
"To say “there is” something, we use います or あります with the particle が . "
But in lessons 2.4, Kenny uses は instead of が with います :
"英語を話せる人はいますか?"
Why that ?
GregV84
October 28, 2020
In lessons 2.9, it is written :
"To say “there is” something, we use います or あります with the particle が . "
But in lessons 2.4, Kenny uses は instead of が with います :
"英語を話せる人はいますか?"
Why that ?
EarleyGrave
October 28, 2020
That's a good question, hmm. Maybe it's because が generally identifies concrete nouns, and “a person who can speak English” is rather a vague entity and could be anyone… or no one? I'm interested to know the answer too. ;)
It feels like using GA could make the sentence sound like “Does a person who can speak English exist?”, which would be awkward, but WA makes it “As for a person who can speak English, do you have (one)?” That's just my thought at this point.
Emma-Rocket-Japanese-Tutor
October 29, 2020
EarleyGrave
October 29, 2020
Thanks Emma!
GregV84
October 29, 2020
どうもありがとうエマ先生! :)