Giao Vien 4
DUMMY SUBJECTS
Các mệnh đề tiếng Anh nào không mang tính chất mệnh lệnh đều phải có một chủ từ. Đôi khi chúng ta cần dùng một chủ từ giả "a dummy/an empty/an artificial subject) khi không có chủ từ gắn với động từ này, và chủ từ thật ở đâu đó trong mệnh đề. "IT" và "THERE" là hai chủ từ giả được dùng trong tiếng Anh.
I. IT:
1. Chúng ta thường dùng "IT" như một chủ từ giả (a dummy subject) với các tính từ (adjectives) và các bổ ngữ của chúng (their complements).
VD1:
It's always interesting to find out about your family history.
=> dummy subject: It
=> adjective: interesting
=> real subject: to find out about your family history
Fiding/To find out about your family history is always interesting.
VD2:
It's important to wear a helmet whenever you do any dangerous sport.
=> dummy subject: It
=> adjective: important
=> real subject: to wear a helmet when you do any dangerous sport
Wearing/To wear a helmet when you do any dangerous sport is important.
VD3:
It's useful to write down your passport number somewhere, in case you lose it.
=> dummy subject: It
=> adjective: useful
=> real subject: to write down your passport number somewhere
Writing/To write down your passport number somewhere is useful, in case you lose it.
2. Để phát biểu ý kiến về một sự kiện hoặc một sự quan sát (an observation or fact), "that/what/where... + clause" được đặt ở vị trí chủ từ và được các động từ "be, seems, appears, should be, may, be ought to be,..." và ý kiến (the opinion -> là "an adjective phrase or a noun phrase") theo sau.
That/What/Where... + Clause + be/seems/makes... + the opinion (adjective phrase or a noun phrase)
VD1:
It is a pleasant surprise that the President thinks he is funny.
=> dummy subject: It
=> complement: a pleasant surprise (noun phrase)
=> real subject: That the President thinks he is funny
That the President thinks he is funny is a pleasant surprise.
=> That + the President thinks he is funny (clause) + is (be) + a pleasant surprise (the opinion)
VD2:
It is a wonder that Fred can do such a good impression.
=> dummy subject: It
=> complement: a wonder (noun phrase)
=> real subject: that Fred can do such a good impression
That Fred can do such a good impression is a wonder.
=> That + Fred can do such a good impression (clause) + is (be) + a wonder (the opinion)
VD3:
It is a pity that Fred retired from Saturday night Live.
=> dummy subject: It
=> complement: a pity (noun phrase)
=> real subject: that Fred retired from Saturday night Live
That Fred retired from Saturday Night Live is a pity.
=> That + Fred retired from Saturday night Live (clause) + is (be) + a pity (the opinion)
VD4:
It makes no difference where I turn.
=> dummy subject: It
=> complement: no difference (noun phrase)
=> real subject: where I turn
Where I turn makes no difference.
=> Where + I turn (clause) + make (V.) + no difference (the opinion)
VD5:
It seems clear to everyone what they think.
=> dummy subject: It
=> adjective: clear
=> real subject: what they think
What they think seems clear to everyone.
=> What + they think (clause) + seems + clear to everyone(the opinion)
VD6:
It was funny what he said.
=> dummy subject: It
=> adjective: funny
=> real subject: what he said
What he said was funny.
=> What + he said (clause) + was (be) + funny (the opinion).
II. THERE:
"There" được dùng như một chủ từ giả trong cấu trúc "THERE IS/THERE ARE". Hai cấu trúc này mô ta một người hay một sự vật/sự việc... nào đó tồn tại hoặc ở một địa điểm hoặc một hoàn cảnh cụ thể.
VD1:
There's a woman waiting outside who wants to talk to you.
=> dummy subject: There
=> real subject: a woman waiting outside
=> means: a woman waiting outside wants to talk to you.
VD2:
There are five Dutch people in our village.
=> dummy subject: There
=> real subject: five Dutch people.
=> means: five Dutch people are in our village.
VD3:
There are two shops in the village.
=> dummy subject: There
=> real subject: two shops
=> means: two shops are in the village.