there was a man

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'there was a man' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a scene in your writing. For example: "I rounded the corner and there was a man, standing in the middle of the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, baseball got Once there was a man to protect whose reputation I shall speak.

The New Yorker

Right, at one point there was a man... and then there wasn't.

Huffington Post

There was a man.

The New Yorker

There was a man who could rededicate.

The New Yorker

There was a man in a wheelchair.

The Guardian

There was a man standing on something.

The New York Times

There was a man called Maxwell Knight.

The Guardian

There was a man standing over her".

The Guardian

There was a man named Pontius Pilate.

The Guardian

Sometimes there was a man in the apartment.

The New Yorker

But there was a man on the bicycle waiting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there was a man" to introduce a character or set the scene in a narrative. It's a classic and straightforward way to begin a story or describe a past event.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "there was a man" as it can make your writing repetitive. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was a man" primarily serves as an existential clause, asserting the existence or presence of a male individual. Ludwig examples show it's often used to introduce a character or set the scene. This structure is fundamental in narrative introductions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there was a man" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English, particularly within narrative contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and prevalence across various media. Its primary function is to introduce a character or subject, setting the scene for further developments. While highly versatile, overuse can lead to repetitive writing, suggesting the need for varied sentence structures. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, indicating a generally neutral register, as demonstrated by the examples provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once lived a man

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize a past existence, typically at the beginning of a story.

a man was present

Focuses on the man's presence in a particular location or situation.

there appeared a man

Suggests a sudden or unexpected appearance of the man.

a man existed

A more direct, albeit less common, way to state the man's existence.

one man was there

Emphasizes that only one man was present.

a man stood there

Highlights the man's posture and location.

a certain man

Implies a specific, though perhaps unidentified, man.

a man could be seen

Indicates that the man was visible in a particular setting.

a male figure was there

A more descriptive and formal way to indicate the presence of a man.

there happened to be a man

Suggests the man's presence was coincidental or unexpected.

FAQs

How can I start a story using "there was a man"?

You can use "there was a man" to introduce your protagonist or a key character, setting the stage for the events that will follow. For example, "There was a man named John who lived in a small town."

What are some alternatives to "there was a man"?

Alternatives include "once lived a man", "a man existed", or "a man was present", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "there was a man" in formal writing?

Yes, "there was a man" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing, though it might be more suitable for narrative sections rather than strictly analytical ones. Consider more descriptive alternatives if the context demands a higher level of formality.

How can I avoid making my writing sound repetitive when using "there was a man"?

To avoid repetition, vary the sentence structure by occasionally placing descriptive details before the phrase, or by using different introductory phrases altogether. For instance, instead of "There was a man standing by the river", you could write "A solitary figure stood by the river, a man lost in thought."