Shrnutí - morfologie

IT (SNYTAX - introductory IT)

- as an empty subject: It often rains here. (nothing physical) - it doesn't refer to anythin

- as a preparatory subject: It is a pleasure to talk to her. - "it" is a kind of preparatory subject - the most important information is at the end

- as a preparatory object: I often find it difficult to get up in the morning.

• after be: It’s me/him/her.

• nominative is not normally used by itself and after not: Who wants a piece of cake? – Me/not me.

• in cleft sentences – informal: It was me that opened the letter.

• in comparative constructions after than, as: You are slower than me.

2) Possessive pronouns

• possessive determiners: my, your, his, her, its…

• possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, her, its (only when complemented by (very) own)

It’s his own fault. Now that you’ve got your very own flat, how does it feel?

3) Demonstrative pronoun

• have the effect of pointing out entities, often for the purpose of contrast or selection (deictics)

• writers must be careful to make the reference clear.

Harry told Mabel that Maude had written the letter. This is typical.

• have two potential functions: as heads and as modifiers

This is a serious mistake. X This mistake is serious.

This/these X that/those: nearness X distance (physical and temporal)

• can function as adjectives (determiners) or pronouns: I don’t like this (coat).

• as pronouns they can refer only to things X those closely followed by who

Those of you who want to join me should wait outside the building.

4) Reflexive pronouns

• always end in -self/-selves

• they refer back to the subject

• basic use: take the function of a noun phrase in the structure of the clause or phrase: it may be an object, a complement, or a prepositional complement

  • Jane hurt herself. (herself - transitive verb) SYB

  • Jane bought herself a new coat.

a) Obligatory after reflexive verbs: absent oneself (from), pride oneself on

= The soldier absented himself without leave for three weeks.

b) Optional with semi-reflexive verbs (verbs where the reflexive pronoun van be omitted with little or no change in meaning) – used when there is the reason to emphasise the action: fact: adjust, hide, prepare, wash, dress, identify, prove, worry

= She is seven now. She’s old enough to wash herself.

c) Commonly used after some non-reflexive verbs: accuse, admire amuse, dislike, feed, get, hurt, persuade, enjoy, help, introduce

= We really enjoyed ourselves at the funfair.

d) Although after prepositions an objective form of a personal pronoun is the most common form, the reflexive form is obligatory with certain prepositional phrases: look at, look after, think too much of , take much upon, pictures/photographs, portraits of …

= He does not look after himself well. Painters often paint portraits of themselves.

Often used after be and verbs related to be: I’m not myself today.

! Some verbs which are reflexive in Czech are not reflexive in English: concentrate, feel, lie down, sit down:

Does she feel herself sick? You must concentrate yourself if you want to learn how to play.