Cách Sử Dụng Đại Từ Chỉ Định Demonstrative Pronouns (Tiếp Theo)

5. Xem xét thêm một vài thí dụ về this, that, these và those không đi kèm với danh từ. Ta sử dụng cấu trúc này khi nghĩa đã rõ không cần đến danh từ:

These are my favourite chocolates! (These = these chocolates)

This painting is OK, but I prefer those over there.

Hoặc khi ta muốn nói rõ điều gì sắp xảy ra , hoặc điều gì đã xảy ra trong quá khứ:

This is very interesting. (This = the thing I am going to say now)

What was that? (that = the sound that we have just heard)

Thực hành văn phạm

3. Ta sử dụng this để nói rõ ta sẽ làm điều gì kế tiếp. Ta muốn người khác chú ý đến điều sắp xảy ra. Điều này rất phổ biến trong các tình huống không trang trọng, thí dụ như khi ta phô trương tài năng khéo léo với bạn bè hoặc gia đình:

Hey Mum! I can do a jump on my bike! Watch this!

(= the thing I am about to do)

Và ta sử dụng that để nói rõ điều gì vừa mới xảy ra. Trong thí dụ trên, người mẹ vừa xem xong cú nhảy (jump) của con:

Well done, Charlie! That was amazing! (= the jump)

4. Trong các tình huống trang trọng hơn, ta có thể sử dụng this và these để nói rõ những gì ta sẽ nói tiếp theo. Ta muốn nhấn mạnh rằng câu nói tiếp theo chứa đựng thông tin quan trọng. Tình huống ta nói với đồng nghiệp ở nơi làm việc:

This is what Jack said: either we start the project now or we’ll have to wait till next month.

(= The thing I am going to say next is Jack’s suggestion.)

The two main points are these: we must work together and everything must be ready by Friday.

(= The things I am going to say next are the main points.)

Ta sử dụng that và those để nói rõ những gì ta đã nói rồi. Ta muốn ám chỉ đến thông tin đã được nói đến trước đây:

The hospital needs to be expanded, but I’m not here to talk about that. (= the topic I have just mentioned)

5. Ta có thể sử dụng this is khi nói chuyện điện thoại để thông báo cho người nghe biết ai đang nói:

Hello, this is Derek Mills. I’m phoning about my hotel reservation.

Khi điện thoại cho bạn bè và gia đình, ta có thể sử dụng it’s. It’s thân mật hơn this is. Hãy đối chiếu:

Hello, Mrs. Bell, this is Amir. Is Peter at home?

Hi, Dad, it’s Melissa!

Ta cũng có thể sử dụng it’s . . . here. Cách này có thể được sử dụng trong tình huống trang trọng:

Hello, it’s professor Chambers here, I’m calling about the conference.

Ta không nói this is . . . here.

6. Ta có thể sử dụng this is để giới thiệu người khác:

Matthew, this is my sister, Abigail. And this is her husband, Mitesh.

Bài tập:

C. Things to come; things from a moment before; introductions

Complete the mini-dialogues with this, that, this is và that’s.

Listen to (0) this! What’s brown and sticky? . . . A brown stick! Ha ha ha!

~ Aargh! (1) . . . . . . . a really old joke.

And look, (2) . . . . . . . the best bit, he actually falls off the wall!

~ OK! (3) . . . . . . . enough! I can’t watch any more of (4) . . . . . . .

Hi, Jane, (5) . . . . . . . Marion, I’m just phoning to say congratulations on your new job!

~ Oh, thanks, (6) . . . . . . . very kind.

Look at (7) . . . . . . . I bought it at the auction on Saturday.

~ Wow! (8) . . . . . . . amazing! It must have cost a fortune.

(9) . . . . . . . is the 10 o’clock news: two soldiers have been awarded . . .

~ . . . and (10). . . . . . . was the latest news bulletin with Fiona Bruce . . .

D. Making a speech

Complete these extracts from speeches by circling the correct option.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to be at (0) this / that meeting today. It is not my job to make a long speech, but I would like to begin the meeting by telling you (1) this / that true story. Several years ago, I had a serious illness. At (2) this / that time, medicine was not as advanced as it is (3) these / those days . . .

. . . I enjoyed my time at university. (4) These / Those were the best years of my life. Then I was in the army for two years. After (5) this / that , I moved to Glasgow to work in a research institute. (6) This / That was where I met my wife. I know she’s watching (7) this / that on the TV at home and I would just like to send her (8) these / those words: without you I wouldn’t be here today.

E. Two brothers

Matt asks his younger brother to help him. Complete the dialogue by putting in this, that, these, or those.

MATT Tim! What are you doing?

TIM I’m just doing (0) this crossword. It’s a bit difficult.

MATT Well, if you help me with something now, I’ll help you with (1) . . . . . . . later.

TIM I’ve heard (2) . . . . . . . before!

MATT OK, but I’m serious (3) . . . . . . . time. Listen. (4) . . . . . . . is what I want you to do. Here, take (5) . . . . . . . photos. I want you to take them to Sylvia.

TIM Why can’t you go yourself?

MATT I’ve got (6) . . . . . . . terrible cold and I’d rather stay at home.

TIM You didn’t have a cold (7) . . . . . . . morning.

MATT Well, it doesn’t matter. Listen. Sylvia lives in one of (8) . . . . . . . houses on other side of the park.

TIM (9) . . . . . . . is a posh area. I can’t go there dressed like (10) . . . . . . . (11) . . . . . . . jeans have got holes in them.

MATT Well, put ! (12) . . . . . . . new ones on – the ones you bought last Saturday. Anyway, Sylvia lives at number 13. Just give her the photos and tell her that I’ll see her (13) . . . . . . . weekend.

TIM OK, but you owe me for (14) . . . . . . . I want more than just some help with (15) . . . . . . . crossword.

MATT OK, OK.

Đáp án:

1. That’s 5. this is 9. This

2. this is 6. that’s 10. that

3. That’s 7. this

4. this 8. That’s

1. this 4. Those 7. this

2. that 5. that 8. these

3. these 6. That

1. that 6. this 11. These

2. that 7. this 12. those