1) 指示代词分单数(this / that)和复数(these / those)两种形式,既可作限定词又可做代词,例如:
限定词:This girl is Mary.
Those men are my teachers.
代词:This is Mary.
Those are my teachers.
2) 指示代词的句法功能
a. 作主语
This is the way to do it.
这事儿就该这样做。
b. 作宾语
I like this better than that.
我喜欢这个甚至那个。
c. 作主语补语
My point is this.
我的观点就是如此。
d. 作介词宾语
I don‘t say no to that.
我并未拒绝那个。
There is no fear of that.
那并不可怕。
说明1:指示代词在作主语时可指物也可指人,但作其他句子成分时只能指物,不能指人,例如:
(对)That is my teacher.--那是我的老师。(that作主语,指人)
(对)He is going to marry this girl.--他要和这个姑娘结婚。(this作限定词)
(错)He is going to marry this.(this作宾语时不能指人)
(对)I bought this.--我买这个。(this指物,可作宾语)
说明2:That和those可作定语从句的先行词,但this和 these不能,同时,在作先行词时,只有those可指人,试比较:
(对) He admired that which looked beautiful.--他赞赏外表漂亮的东西。
(对) He admired those who looked beautiful.--他赞赏那些外表漂亮的人。(those指人)
(错) He admired that who danced well.(that作宾语时不能指人)
(对) He admired those who danced well.--他赞赏跳舞好的人。(those指人)
(对) He admired those which looked beautiful.--他赞赏那些外表漂亮的东西。(those指物)