指示代词是用来指代或标记人或事物的代词,表示“这个(些)”“那个(些)”。常用的指示代词有this,that, these, those。this,that指代或修饰单数名词,these,those指代或修饰复数名词。
1 指示代词的作用:与定冠词、人称代词一样,具有指定的含义。它们所指的对象取决于说话者和听话者共同熟悉的语境。
What does this word mean?这个单词是什么意思?(定语)
Hi, Mike.This is Bill.你好,迈克。这是比尔。(主语)
These books are all interesting, but I prefer this.这些书都很有趣,但我喜欢这本。(宾语)
What I like is this, not that.我所喜欢的是这个,不是那个。(表语)
2 指示代词的用法。
1 this,these往往指时间或空间较近的人或物;that,those指时间或空间较远的人或物。
This gift is for you and that one is for your brother.这件礼物是你的,那件是你弟弟的。
I love these books but I don't like those.我喜欢这些书,但不喜欢那些。(these近指,those远指。)
2 that,those常常用来代替已提到过的名词,以避免重复。
The life in the country is more peaceful than that in the city.乡村的生活比城市的生活要安静。
Subjects for middle school students in China are more difficult than those in the USA.中国中学里的科目比美国中学里的科目要难。
疑难辨析 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………that,those表示“这”
上文提到的事物,英语中常用that或those表示,而汉语却常用“这”表示。
I had a bad cold.That was why I didn't go to school.我感冒很严重,这是我没去上学的原因。
Those are the newspapers you want.这就是你要的报纸。
3 在“those who/which...”或“those people who...”,“those things which/that...”句型中,who/which引导的定语从句说明those的范围。
Those ( people) who break the law of nature will be punished.违背自然规律必将受到惩罚。
You can take those( which/that) you like from this box.你可以从这个箱子取走你喜欢的东西。
疑难辨析 …………………………………………………………………………………………… this/these与that/those
1 定语从句中。在“those (…) who/which...”中those 不可用these替代。
Those who disagree to leave may choose to stay.不同意离开者可以留下来。
2 电话用语。英国人打电话时,this指自己,that指别人。
Hello.This is Alan.Who is that speaking?喂,你好!我是艾伦。你是哪位?
4 当所指的事物已确定时,后面的指示代词指人时须用he,she或they替代,指物时须用it或they替代。
—Are the books yours?这些书是你的吗?
—Yes,they are.是的,正是。
This is my brother.He studies at the University of London.这是我哥哥,他在伦敦大学就读。