subject

"There" is the subject. "Nothing" is the object. In this case "there" functions as a pronoun.

Many thanks, Roberta.

What about 'else'? What function does it perform?

I'm not sure that's right. I don't think "is" is a transitive verb, which is where you normally get subjects and objects, since "there" the pronoun" and "nothing else", which is I think a noun phrase, are in fact the same thing. It's like "two plus two is four"--"two plus two" and "four" are really the same thing, just expressed differently.

All sentences have subjects whether written or implied. Transitive verbs require objects to make the sentence complete. Intransitive verbs do not require objects. Both require subjects. In the sentence, "The girl is alive," the subect is girl. "Is" is an intransitive verb. The subject of the original sentence is the pronoun "there."


Else is an adverb. It modifies "nothing."

I would appreciate other comments on this thread:

http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=103246&highlight=

McTag, I read that thread several times. I have no idea what the poster is talking about. I'll show up there and say as much.