三、指示代词 that
3.1引言
指示代词that的意思是“那个”,其复数形式为those(那些);其相对应的词为this,意思是“这个”, this的复数形式为these(这些)。
《新编英语语法》(第三版)p332上认为指示代词that通常在一定的照应关系中出现,其确切含义通常取决于上下文中的照应对象(Referent)或其它非语言因素( Extralinguistic Factor),从而这一类词在一定上下中形成的照应关系叫做“指示照应”(Demonstrative Reference)。
3.2指示代词that的句法功能
指示代词that在句子中通常可以充当主语、宾语和表语(主语补语)。
3.2.1 指示代词that用作主语 例如:
That was many years ago.
3.2.2 指示代词that用作宾语 例如:
Have you got that?
Do they always dance like that in France ?
3.2.3 指示代词that用作表语(主语补语) 例如:
Oh, it’s not that.
另外,that之后可以接which从句,但这种用法很正式。例如:
They say the only real knowledge is that which can be measured. 据说唯一真实的知识是可以检验的知识。
That which an individual seeks, that he will find. 一个人要寻找的东西总会找到的。
3.3指示代词that指代人或物
指示代词that通常指物,不指人。但是,用于“主语+系动词+表语”结构中,在以下列情况下,指示代词that可以用来指人。
a. 当说话人在介绍他人的时候,可以说:
This is my brother John. John, this is my classmate Sunny. 这是我弟弟约翰。约翰,这是我同学桑妮。
That is her husband.
Good morning. This is (I am) Sunny. 早安,我是桑妮。
注:I am比 This is正式一点,比较适合陌生人之间使用。
b. 指着一张照片或名单可以说:These are my parents. Those are my children.
c. 在电话中,this和 that可以指在电话中交谈的双方。美国人用this指双方;英国人则用this指自己,用that指对方。 例如:
Who’s this speaking, please? (美) 请问你是谁?
Who’s that speaking, please? (英) 请问你是谁?
d. that和 this可以和 it 一样用来辨认某人是谁。例如:
That is my mother.
That looks like your father.
“Who’s that?” “It’s John.
This is John. Is that Susan?
总之,指示代词指人是受到严格限制的。在这个问题上,指示代词that(this) 和those(these)还略有区别。在一定的语境中,those(these)可以指人。例如:
She spent an unhappy weekend with her parents. These (=her parents) did not very greatly care for her.
但是,不可以改为:She spent an unhappy weekend with her mother.