"what was in the park" vs "what was there in the park"

Question

"what was in the park" vs "what was there in the park"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'What was there in the park?' is more specific and implies that the speaker is asking about the presence of certain things in the park. 'What was in the park?' is a more general question about the contents of the park without specifying any particular items.

Last Updated: April 06, 2024

This phrase is used when the speaker wants to ask about the overall contents or things that were present in the park without specifying any particular items.

Examples:

What was in the park when you went there?
I wonder what was in the park that day.

Alternatives:

What was there in the park?
What did you see in the park?
What could be found in the park?
What was present in the park?
What was located in the park?

This phrase is used when the speaker wants to inquire about particular items or objects that were present in the park.

Examples:

What was there in the park that caught your attention?
Can you tell me what was there in the park when you visited?

Alternatives:

What was in the park?
What did you see in the park?
What could be found in the park?
What was present in the park?
What was located in the park?

Answer 1

what was in the park

This phrase is also correct and is a more general question about the contents of the park.

Answer 2

what was there in the park

This phrase is correct and can be used when asking about specific things present in the park.