expl : expletive

An expletive (expl) is either the existential "there" or the extrapositional "it" in the subject position.

The existential "there" modifying the verbal predicate "comes".

The existential "there" modifying the nominal predicate "surprise".

The extrapositional "it" modifying the verbal predicate "struck".

The extrapositional "it" modifying the adjectival predicate "evident".

The extrapositional "it" modifying the adjectival predicate "easy".