On either side of

[hly2004]

Hi, everyone:

On either side of the path are what look like river beds of big rocks.

(1)I cannot find my grammar book now, I wonder if "on either side of the path" is called "Subject of the sentence".

(2)I would appreciate it if you could tell me the differences between:

a. On either side of the path are rows of houses.
and
b. There're rows of houses on either side of the path.

In other words, when should I choose (a) over (b), or what's the advantage of this pattern?

Best wishes

 

[celine713]

Hi, everyone:

On either side of the path are what look like river beds of big rocks.

(1)I cannot find my grammar book now, I wonder if "on either side of the path" is called "Subject of the sentence".

(2)I would appreciate it if you could tell me the differences between:

a. On either side of the path are rows of houses.
and
b. There're rows of houses on either side of the path.

In other words, when should I choose (a) over (b), or what's the advantage of this pattern?

Best wishes

On either side of the path are rows of houses.

There're rows of houses on either side of the path.

the part being emphasized is different, and the subject is "rows of houses", by the way, I am not sure if"are" is correct, since there is "either",not "both",

 

[winklepicker]

I would appreciate it if you could tell me the differences between:

a. On either side of the path are rows of houses.
and
b. There're rows of houses on either side of the path.

In other words, when should I choose (a) over (b), or what's the advantage of this pattern?

First up, "there're" is an unusual contraction (in BE) which would be used only in reported speech, and very informal at that (maybe reported speech in a children's book?).

The difference between the two phrases is subtle, and depends on where you want the emphasis to be. To my ear, a) is quite flat and dispassionate - a literal description of the scene. b) is more immediate and sounds like narrative - and perhaps an exciting one. It could be historic present: "I walk cautiously through the darkened alley. There are houses on either side of the path. Suddenly, out of the shadows leaps a threatening figure..."

Hope this helps.

 

[hly2004]

First up, "there're" is an unusual contraction (in BE) which would be used only in reported speech, and very informal at that (maybe reported speech in a children's book?).

The difference between the two phrases is subtle, and depends on where you want the emphasis to be. To my ear, a) is quite flat and dispassionate - a literal description of the scene. b) is more immediate and sounds like narrative - and perhaps an exciting one. It could be historic present: "I walk cautiously through the darkened alley. There are houses on either side of the path. Suddenly, out of the shadows leaps a threatening figure..."

Hope this helps.

Thank you all, I've to it