Chinese-all-day-breakfast/MD/All-Day-Breakfast/docs/g1-39.md

Grammar Notes

1. Measure word 些

   些 is a measure word showing indefinite quantity. It is usually used after demonstrative pronouns such as 這, 那, 哪 and after the numeral 一:

   一些
       some
   這些
       these
   那些
       those
   哪些
       which (plural)
   

   Don't attempt to mix 些 with definite measures. It is wrong to say 這些三本詞典 (these three dictionaries); one can only say 這三本詞典.

2. 是 . . . 的 construction

   Earlier we saw the construction with simple nouns, pronouns or adjectives:

   這本書是中文的。= 這本書中文的書。
   那條裙子是妹妹的。= 那條裙子是妹妹的裙子。
   姐姐的大衣是黑的。= 姐姐的大衣是黑的大衣。
   

   But the 是 . . . 的 construction can also be used with prepositional phrases and even whole verbal constructions:

   那些點心是給丁雲的。= 那些點心是丁雲的點心。
       Those pastries are for Ding Yun.
   這束花兒是我給她買的。= 這束花兒我給她買的花兒。
       This bunch of flowers is the one I bought for her.
   這本書是我在大學的圖書館借的。= 這本書是我在大學的圖書館借的書。
       This book is the one I borrowed from the university library.