在线英语听力室

VOA名师答疑2023--This and That

时间：2024-01-08 01:30:46

搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号：tingroom，领取免费英语资料大礼包。

（单词翻译）

This and That

Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question about the use of "this, that, these, those."

Question

Hello,

Please, how should I use the pronouns "this, that, these, those" beyond the notion of near or far?

Thanks a lot,

Odilon

Answer

Thank you for writing, Odilon. This is an excellent question!

We know that the words "this, that, these, those" have many meanings and uses in English.

One meaning of "this/these" is to note someone or something is near in physical distance. "That/those" can note someone or something that is far in physical distance. Here are two examples:

You can say, "This book is mine" while holding it in your hand.

And you can say, "That book is yours" while pointing at one on the table across the room.

Time

Near and far can also demonstrate time. "This" can mean now or current, and "that" can mean before or earlier. For example,

The solar eclipse will not happen again this year.

The last supermoon came in September. At that time, the moon's orbit brought it closer than usual to Earth.

In the first sentence, "this" notes the current year. In the second sentence, "that" refers to a time in the past.

Preference

We can also use "this/that" to show preference or a desirable choice. "This" can demonstrate a more desirable choice, and "that" can demonstrate a less desirable choice. Here are two examples:

This is my favorite restaurant.

That doesn't sound very fun.

In the first sentence, "this" shows the restaurant is the best choice, and "that" in the second sentence demonstrates the idea is not a desirable one.

Focus, or attention

"This/these" also has an additional use. We can use "this/these" for focus, or attention, to establish new information. Using "this/these" can direct the reader's or listener's attention to important information. Here is an example.

And this is one major concern about the use of artificial intelligence: ownership.

"This" directs the reader to pay attention to the new information that is coming in the sentence. The important information in the sentence is a major concern. Ownership is the major concern.

Please let us know if this explanation has helped you, Odilon.

Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at [email protected].

And that's Ask a Teacher.

Words in This Story

notion–n. idea or belief

eclipse–n. an event in which the sun is blocked by the moon, or when the moon passes through the Earth's shadow


分享到：


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

0 across JJGy1     
adv.横过，使...被理解(或接受)；prep.穿过，横过
参考例句：
  • He walked across the road carefully.他小心地过马路。
  • You can go across the bridge.你可以越过这座桥。
0 additional rJTyM     
adj.添加的，额外的，另外的
参考例句：
  • It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
  • I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。
0 again iKIy2     
adv.再一次；再，又
参考例句：
  • Pleased to meet you again.很高兴又见到你。
  • Let me check it again.让我再检查一下。
0 also 5LHyk     
adv.也，亦；并且；同样；而且，还
参考例句：
  • I also like chocolate ice cream.我也喜欢吃巧克力冰淇淋。
  • People also like to have a Christmas tree in the living-room.人们同样喜欢在起居室内摆一棵圣诞树。
0 American aLKy1     
adj.美国(洲)的；美国人的；n.美国人，美洲人
参考例句：
  • Jim is an American boy.吉姆是个美国男孩。
  • Are they American or Australian?他们是美国人还是澳大利亚人？
0 answer 2MOyo     
n.答案；回答；v.回答
参考例句：
  • I can't answer that question.我回答不了那个问题。
  • Do you have the answer?你得到答案了吗？
0 artificial iNuz6     
adj.人工的，人造的，人为的；做作的，假装的
参考例句：
  • The new dam will form a large artificial lake behind it.新筑的水坝将会在后面形成一个人工湖。
  • We don't use any artificial flavourings in our products.我们的产品不使用任何人工调味剂。
0 attention tNtzA     
n.注意，注意力，关心，关注
参考例句：
  • I hope you will give attention to this problem.希望你对此给予关注。
  • Pay attention to your spelling.请注意拼写。
0 before sQwyg     
prep./conj.在…以前
参考例句：
  • She needs the work done before tomorrow.她必须在明天以前找人完成这项工作。
  • I must finish this letter before I go home.我必须在回家以前写完这封信。
0 belief pQhy6     
n.相信，确信，信任，信念，认为
参考例句：
  • Their society was built around a belief in God.他们的社会建立在信仰上帝的基础上。
  • Nothing can shake the basis for my belief.什么也动摇不了我信念的基础。
0 best 8QAyJ     
adj.最好的（good和well最高级）；adv.最好地；最
参考例句：
  • Summer is the best season.夏天是最好的季节。
  • I like blue best.我最喜欢蓝色。
0 beyond rQ4yQ     
prep.在(或向)…的那边，远于；迟于；超出
参考例句：
  • For many years he had lived beyond the seas.他在海外生活多年。
  • I know nothing beyond this.除此以外我一无所知。
0 brought 2SMyf     
vbl.bring的过去式和过去分词
参考例句：
  • He brought a new book with him.他带来一本新书。
  • I brought you your shirt.我带来了你的衬衣。
0 came xTYyl     
v.动词come的过去式
参考例句：
  • I was surprised why he came here so early.他为什么那么早到这里，我很惊奇。
  • The doctor came in time to save his life.医生及时来抢救他的生命。
0 choice HV8yq     
n.选择，抉择；精选品
参考例句：
  • There are many books you can make a choice.有许多书你可以任意选择。
  • He went abroad at his own choice.他出国是自愿选择的。
0 concern jXFyY     
vt.（使）担忧；涉及；关系到；n.担心；关注；（利害）关系
参考例句：
  • It's very kind of you to show so much concern for us.谢谢您对我们这么关心。
  • Our losses are beginning to concern me.我们的损失使我担心起来。
0 current YYezN     
n.涌流，趋势，电流，水流，气流；adj.当前的，通用的，流通的，现在的，草写的，最近的
参考例句：
  • Electric current is often powerful enough to kill a man.电流常强得足以致命。
  • There is a story about her in the current number.最近一期上有关于她的故事。
0 demonstrate VwWxp     
vt.论证，证明；示范；显示；vi.示威游行
参考例句：
  • Let me demonstrate to you how this machine works.我给你演示一下这台机器的运转情况。
  • How can I demonstrate to you that my story is true?我怎样才能向你证明我的话是真实的呢？
0 demonstrates fc1f69bf066ed0d3a77a903b4f6a9916     
举行示威游行（或集会）( demonstrate的第三人称单数 )； 示范。展示； 显示； 论证
参考例句：
  • I hope this message demonstrates my feelings to the students. 我希望这个祝词能表达出我对学生们的感情。
  • I hope this demonstrates to you how I feel. 我希望这能向你表明我的感受。
0 desirable hw6xX     
adj.值得拥有的；可取的，有利的
参考例句：
  • Some reasonable adjustments seem desirable.某些合理的调整似乎是可取的。
  • Prolonged negotiation was not desirable.拖长了的谈判并不是大家所想要的。
0 direct aPzzp     
adj.直接的；直达的；v.指挥；知道；监督；管理
参考例句：
  • This train is direct,you do not have to change.这辆火车是直达的，你不必换车。
  • The army is under the king's direct command.军队由国王直接统帅。
0 directs 0eb216f3175a1e75bd98cc9a6a9efe8c     
v.（用建议、指示、有益的情报等）指导( direct的第三人称单数 )；导演（戏剧或电影）；指示方向；把…对准（某方向或某人）
参考例句：
  • Thinking directs one's actions. 思想指导行动。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The teacher directs the work of his students. 这位教师指导他的学生工作。 来自辞典例句
0 distance Hs3xx     
n.距离；路程
参考例句：
  • A very small distance or space.非常小的距离或空间。
  • It depends on traffic and distance.这要看交通和路程的远近。
0 earlier uuzzSC     
adj.早期的，初期的adv.早期（地），初期（地）
参考例句：
  • The basic design of the car is very similar to that of earlier models. 这种汽车的基本设计与早期的样式非常相似。
  • The earlier protests had just been dress rehearsals for full-scale revolution. 早期的抗议仅仅是大革命开始前的预演。
0 earth ar7xL     
n.陆地；大地；地球
参考例句：
  • The earth moves round the sun.地球绕着太阳转。
  • Spring returns to the earth.大地回春。
0 eclipse zklzW     
v.使黯然失色，使相形见绌，日食，月食
参考例句：
  • During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。
  • There will be an eclipse of the moon next month.下个月有月食。
0 email email     
n.电子邮件（Electronic mail），透过电脑网路传送邮件的方式
参考例句：
  • You can send me an email.你可以给我发一份电子邮件。
  • It's Interesting to read your email.读你的电子邮件很有趣。
0 establish Gn0xw     
vt.建立，设立；安置，使定居；确立，使确认
参考例句：
  • Let's establish the ground rules so that everybody knows what to expect.让我们定一下基本规则，以便让每个人都知道要求如何。
  • They want to establish trade relations with us.他们想和我国建立贸易关系。
0 example DixzW     
n.榜样，例子
参考例句：
  • Here is a simple example.这里有个简单的例子。
  • We should not follow his example.我们不应学他的榜样。
0 examples bfebe34154a0dfd9fc7b447fc9ed74e9     
n.例子；榜样( example的名词复数 )；例子；样本；样板
参考例句：
  • We didn't find the examples he used particularly illuminating. 我们觉得他采用的那些例证启发性不是特别大。
  • Examples in this dictionary are in italics. 本词典中的例子用斜体显示。
0 excellent 6nLxN     
adj.极好的；优秀的
参考例句：
  • She is an excellent teacher.她是个优秀的教师。
  • I'm sure you can make an excellent job next time. 我相信你下次会干得更好。
0 explanation 1m2xC     
n.解释，解说，说明
参考例句：
  • I had better say a few words by way of explanation.我最好以解释的方式说几句话。
  • She did not continue with her explanation.她没有继续解释下去。
0 favorite ytuzLi     
n.特别喜爱的(人)物；adj.特别喜爱的
参考例句：
  • Spring and autumn are my favorite seasons.春秋是我喜欢的季节。
  • Her most favorite fruit is orange.她最喜欢的水果是桔子。
0 first FjMxx     
adj.第一的；adv.首先
参考例句：
  • What should I do first?我该首先做什么？
  • That is the first question.这是第一个问题。
0 focus kjnxK     
n.焦点，焦距；vi.聚焦，注视；vt.使聚焦，调焦，集中
参考例句：
  • She was the focus of everyone's attention.她是大家注意的焦点。
  • The noise made it hard for me to focus on work.噪音让我无法集中注意力工作。
0 fun FhYxb     
n.兴趣；有趣的事
参考例句：
  • It's fun being a singer.做一个歌手很有乐趣。
  • It may be fun to play chess.下棋可能是有趣的。
0 happen VeHxF     
vi.发生；碰巧，偶然；巧遇，偶然发现
参考例句：
  • What happened to you?发生了什么事吗？
  • When did the earthquake happen?地震什么时候发生的？
0 helped 035a29355ff4298742005ef1fb2edfad     
v.帮助( help的过去式和过去分词 )；有助于，有利于；治疗；避免
参考例句：
  • The movie helped boost her screen career. 那部电影有助于她的银幕生涯的发展。
  • They helped themselves from a large dish of pasta. 他们从一大盘意大利面中取一些吃。
0 holding DrnzSl     
n.佃户租种的土地；所有物（如土地、债券、股份等）；私有财产；（因其热情、精力或决心等）阻拦不住某人v.拿( hold的现在分词)；认为；包含；容纳
参考例句：
  • He was debarred from holding public office. 他被禁止担任公职。
  • She was holding a large box. 她提着一只大箱子。
0 idea ubuxF     
n.主意，办法；理想，思想，概念，意见
参考例句：
  • I have my own idea.我有自己的想法。
  • They agree to my idea.他们同意我的意见。
0 important wcIzI     
adj.重要的；重大的；严重的
参考例句：
  • It's important to find out what he is doing.弄清他在干什么是重要的。
  • This is a very important problem.这个问题很重要。
0 information QQ5zY     
n.起诉；信息，消息；知识；报告，通知，情报
参考例句：
  • I hope the information I gave you was helpful.我希望我给你的消息对你有所帮助。
  • We must get further information.我们必须获得更多的消息。
0 intelligence IbtzQ     
n.智力，聪明，智能；情报
参考例句：
  • He was a man of intelligence and of firmness of will.他是个聪明而又意志坚定的人。
  • He equals me in strength but not in intelligence.他和我力气相等，但智力不同。
0 less q1Ux4     
adj.更少的，更小的；adv.更少地，更小地；n.少量，次要；prep.减
参考例句：
  • I read much less now than I did at school.我现在看书远比我上学时少。
  • You can't buy the dress with less than 50 yuan.买这件衣服没有50元钱下不来。
0 lot Z0jxZ     
n.许多；好些
参考例句：
  • We had a lot of difficulties.我们碰到过许多困难。
  • Helen eats a lot of fruit.海伦水果吃得很多。
0 major hANxM     
n.主修，成年人，陆军少校；adj.主要的，较多的，大部份的；v.主修
参考例句：
  • His major is history.他主修历史。
  • The car needs major repairs.这辆汽车需要大修。
0 mean PCUxz     
v.意指；指示
参考例句：
  • What do you mean by opening my letters?你打开我的信用意何在？
  • It does mean you have learned something.它意味着你学有所成。
0 meaning koizBU     
n.意义，含意，目的，意图；adj.意味深长的
参考例句：
  • At last he knew the meaning of life.终于，他知道了生命的意义。
  • Could you catch her meaning?你明白她的意思吗？
0 meanings 12eb3c1c85c90a5769d7afdfcaf770f0     
n.含义；意思( meaning的名词复数 )；含义；重要性；价值
参考例句：
  • A good dictionary is an authority on the meanings of words. 一本好词典是词义的权威。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • That word has many loose meanings. 那个词有很多不确切的含义。 来自《简明英汉词典》
0 near 3GRxr     
prep.在…附近；靠近
参考例句：
  • Is her school near her home?她的学校靠近她家吗？
  • The zoo is near the school.动物园离学校很近。
0 note R5Kza     
n.笔记，注解，备忘录；音符，音调；票据；便条；纸币；vt. 记录，注解；注意
参考例句：
  • Someone left this note for you.有人给你留下这张条子。
  • Please note how to spell this word.请注意这个词如何拼写。
0 notes notes     
vt.记下；对…加注释n.注意( note的名词复数 )；笔记；单音；特征
参考例句：
  • Are you aware these notes are counterfeit? 你觉察到这些钞票是伪造的吗？
  • There are explanatory notes at the back of the book. 书后有注解。
0 notion O5Zz9     
n.概念，意念，看法
参考例句：
  • One common Chinese notion is that the elders ought to be respected.中国人共有的一种观念是长者应受到尊敬。
  • He had a sudden notion to visit all his relatives.他心血来潮，突然想去拜访他所有的亲戚。
0 orbit oJVxu     
n.轨道；vt.使沿轨道运行；使进入轨道运行；vi.沿轨道运行，环行
参考例句：
  • The space rocket was launched and went into orbit.宇宙火箭发射后进入轨道。
  • We can draw the earth's orbit round the sun.我们可以画出地球绕太阳运行的轨迹。
0 ownership BKQxj     
n.所有(权)，所有制
参考例句：
  • The house is under new ownership.那栋房子已易新主。
  • He claimed ownership of the house.他声称那幢房子归他所有。
0 past 1Loxa     
n.过去，昔时，往事，早年经历，过去时；adj.过去的，结束的，卸任的，过去时的；prep.越过，晚于，超越，超出...的可能性（能力、范围等）；pass的过去分词
参考例句：
  • We walked past the hospital.我们从医院旁边经过。
  • The past is past.Let us look ahead.过去的事已成过去。让我们向前看吧。
0 pay NL6xI     
v.付钱；n.付钱；薪金
参考例句：
  • How much did you pay?你付了多少钱？
  • His pay is below the average.他的工资低于一般水平。
0 physical C2fzm     
adj.物理的，物质的，体力的，身体的，自然的
参考例句：
  • Good physical conditions can never be bought with money.健康决非金钱所能买到。
  • This change of the state is a physical change.这种状态的变化是物理变化。
0 pointing e24ee8dbfa2b3a0018143be02e351d19     
n.弄尖，指示；勾缝；磨尖
参考例句：
  • The team was pointing for the game with the neighbouring college. 球队正在准备迎接与邻近那所大学的比赛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She finished by tartly pointing out that he owed her some money. 她最后刻薄地指出他欠她一些钱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
0 preference 0PWxM     
n.偏爱，优先，优先权，优先的选择
参考例句：
  • What is your preference?你有什么嗜好？
  • A teacher should not show preference for any one of his pupils.老师不应偏爱任何一个学生。
0 pronouns 412995721152167c54a600e91269c742     
n.代词( pronoun的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Relative pronouns and adverbs introduce attributive clauses. 关系代词和关系副词引导定语从句。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • "I", "you"and "he" are all personal pronouns. I，you和he都是人称代词。 来自《简明英汉词典》
0 question ISBxJ     
n.问题，疑问，疑问句；v.询问，审问，怀疑
参考例句：
  • That is the first question.这是第一个问题。
  • Who is to question him?该由谁来质问他？
0 reader nTdxN     
n.读物，读本，读者
参考例句：
  • My brother is a great reader.我弟弟是个很爱看书的人。
  • It aims to tell the reader interesting facts.它的目的旨在给读者介绍有趣的事物。
0 refers a01777922e0f058abe7d8a10d0901818     
v.提到( refer的第三人称单数 )；针对；关系到；请教
参考例句：
  • He never refers himself to us when he has difficulties. 他有困难时从不求助于我们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • His statement refers to people in general, not to anyone in particular. 他的发言是泛指一般情况，不是针对某一个人的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
0 restaurant eCbyZ     
n.餐馆，饭店，菜馆
参考例句：
  • Let's meet in the restaurant.我们在餐厅见吧。
  • Where is a good restaurant?哪儿有好的饭店？
0 second qZTxG     
num.第二；adj.第二的；别的；n.第二；秒；片刻
参考例句：
  • Who was second in the high jump?跳高比赛第二名是谁？
  • This is the second type.这是第二种。
0 send Vzewl     
vt.送给，传，寄，派遣；发射；使陷于；vi.寄信；派人；播送
参考例句：
  • I want to send a package.我要寄个包裹。
  • Do you prefer to send emails?你喜欢发送电子邮件吗？
0 sentence szCwb     
n.句子；判决，宣判 vt.宣判，判决
参考例句：
  • It is a simple sentence.这是个简单句。
  • This is the first sentence. 这是第一句话。
0 September 7zzw8     
n.九月
参考例句：
  • It is very hot in September here.九月份这里很热。
  • New term begins in September.新学期九月份开始。
0 show KyYwa     
v.出示；告知；n.展览（会）；演出，节目
参考例句：
  • Please show me your card.请出示你的卡片。
  • Have you seen the show?你看演出了没？
0 shows 5a3b59822122b957b4fe54e3f3c06bda     
v.给…看( show的第三人称单数 )；表现出；显露出；上演
参考例句：
  • The research shows that computer games may cause aggression. 研究显示，电脑游戏可能引起好斗情绪。
  • She shows little appreciation of good music. 她感受不到美好音乐的妙处。
0 solar 2wtwh     
adj.太阳的，日光的；利用太阳能的；根据太阳决定或测定的 n.日光浴室
参考例句：
  • The solar system was formed 4.5 billion years ago.太阳系是四十五亿年前形成的。
  • The time when a solar eclipse will occur can be calculated.日食发生的时间可以推算出来。
0 someone Cwvw3     
pron.某人，有人
参考例句：
  • I can hear someone knocking.我听到有人敲门。
  • Someone wants to see her.有人找她。
0 something rwmw2     
pron.某事，某物；被视为有意义的事物
参考例句：
  • Something is wrong with the machine.那机器有点问题。
  • She seems worried about something.她似乎为某事担心。
0 sound Qw7wL     
n.声音，声响；v.听起来，发声
参考例句：
  • What does it sound like?它听起来像什么声音？
  • Sound travels slower than light.声音传播比光慢。
0 table JqNwj     
n.桌(台)子；表格；vt.提交讨论
参考例句：
  • There is a big table.这儿有一张大桌子。
  • Next,we have to create a table.接下来，我们必须要创建一个表格。
0 use Yj4wU     
v.使用；n.用途，利用
参考例句：
  • Do you often use it?你经常用它吗？
  • What use does it have?它有什么用途？
0 uses 7febea91979ea98f4b544f5a672532da     
n.用途( use的名词复数 )；使用能力；运用头脑（或身体）的能力v.使用( use的第三人称单数 )；（施展手段）利用（别人）；耗费；吸（毒）
参考例句：
  • This type of trap uses no bait or other attractant. 这种陷阱不用诱饵或其他引诱物。
  • The system uses an impressive graphical interface. 这一系统采用了特别好的图形界面。
0 using 78cdeac478e1ba62b564cfc57b945f87     
v.使用（ use的现在分词 ）；利用；耗费；吸（毒）n.使用；利用；用途；使用权
参考例句：
  • He was disqualified from the competition for using drugs. 他因使用违禁药被取消比赛资格。
  • He made a lot of money, using some very dodgy methods. 他采用极其狡诈的手段赚了许多钱。
0 usual OUDzP     
adj.通常的；平常的
参考例句：
  • I got up at six that morning as usual.像往常一样那天早上我六点起床。
  • It's usual to have a holiday in summer.夏天休假是惯例。
0 week Xg3wb     
n.星期，周
参考例句：
  • The rain lasted a week.雨持续了一周。
  • What shall we do next week?下个星期我们做什么？
0 while IeZz7W     
conj.当…的时候；而；虽然；尽管 n.一会儿
参考例句：
  • In a short while,the cat ate up the fish.不久，那只猫便将鱼吃个精光。
  • He teaches English in the school all the while.他一直在这所学校里教英语。
0 words se0zHk     
n.字( word的名词复数 )；（说的）话；诺言；口令
参考例句：
  • What were his actual words? 他的原话是什么？
  • Single words are the building blocks of language. 单词是语言结构的基本单位。
0 writing aeGzKN     
n.写，写作；著作，文学作品
参考例句：
  • I am also writing a short story.我也写短篇小说。
  • Do you like writing for children?你愿意为儿童写作吗？
0 year mfzwM     
n.年，年度，学年；adj./adv.每年，一年一次
参考例句：
  • Four seasons make a year.四季构成了一年。
  • Spring is the beginning of the year.春天是一年的开始。

本文本内容来源于互联网抓取和网友提交，仅供参考，部分栏目没有内容，如果您有更合适的内容，欢迎 点击提交 分享给大家。