英语中代词的形式很多,包括主格、宾格、人称代词、物主代词、反身代词以及它们的单复数等。而汉语中的代词则没有主格和宾格、形容词性物主代词和名次性物主代词之分,此外,汉语中很多时候不用物主代词,而英语中物主代词是不可省略的。在英语考试中,代词的误用是同学们最容易发生的错误。
代词的变化形式首先要与其所指代的对象一致,其次要符合上下文的一致性及其逻辑关系。
误:I sister and I went to the supermarket and bought some apples.
正:My sister and I went to the supermarket and bought some apples.
析:汉语中可以说"我妹妹",但在英语中却要表达成"my sister",要用形容词性物主代词。
误:The Bens did his best to help me.
正:The Bens did their best to help me.
析:因为前面的The Bens指的是复数的意思,后面的代词也应用复数。
误:These oranges are mine; those in the basket are her.
正:These oranges are mine; those in the basket are hers/her oranges.
析:her是形容词性物主代词,后面应加名词oranges,或者把her改为名词性物主代词hers。
误:My husband and me are glad to be here.
正:My husband and I are glad to be here.
析:My husband 和 I 在句中都作主语,所以I要用主格。