Help in english grammar needed

[s_k]

Hi,
I live in Czech Republic, in the middle of Europe. Of course we have english language lessons and we've always been told to use the relation "There is/are..." when we want to tell that SOMETHING is SOMEWHERE.

For example:
There is a dog outside the window.

But on the last lesson, our teacher told us that she doubts whether also this form can be used (or is also recommended):

Outside the window is dog.

She told us that she's always been teached to use "There is/are..." relation, but maybe the english grammar is changing and she's not sure about that.

Could you please provide me more info about that?

Any answer will help a lot.

[gjs368]

Outside the window is dogis more properly stated
Outside the window, there is a dog.Even though this would be considered proper english, if this were to stand as a complete thought on its own, it sounds more akward than to sayThere is a dog outside the window.as did your first example.

[SolarFlare]

"The dog is outside the window" would also convey the same message properly.

[Sirjorj]

Hello s_k. My father was born in Czechoslovakia and came to the U.S. in early 1900s.
the phrase "outside the window" ,as used in you example, is not uncommon but also is not really proper. Also the use of "dog" without being preceded by an article would refer to the class of dogs and not a particular individual dog.

One would correctly say: "I see a dog through the window." or
"I can see my dog through the window."
The use of "a" preceding "dog" denotes a particular dog.
The "there is/are..." relationship which you mention is correct but is limited to particular situations. As:
"There are twelve months in a year" and "There is no exception to this rule."
The English language does evolve very slowly but proper grammar remains stable. However, it is very common, here in the U.S., to see and hear it used incorrectly. The problem is that teaching of English here is in a sorry state.
In a few weeks, I will be releasing a (Freeware) English Language Dictionary for the Desktop (Simtel.net) and will be glad to provide you a free registered version. Watch for it. It's called Fredal's Dictionary.
Regards, g.f.

[s_k]

Hi Sirjorj,
thank you much for your reply, it helped me. I would be very thankful to you, if you could provide your Fredal's Dictionary, I'm looking forward to the release date.

Thank you other guys as well for your replies!