Sentence Patterns - Reading Week 5

xìng 性  NATURE OF...  (5)

The use of 性 is often seen in formal written Chinese. 性 can change a stative verb into a noun, and can also change a noun into an attributive adjective. 重要 to be important is a stative verb. If it is followed by 性, then it becomes a noun 重要 性 importance. 历史 means history, and 历史性 means historic.

重要 used as a stative verb

This matter is very important.

重要 used as a noun

What is the importance of this matter?

历史 used as a noun

This is history.

历史used as an adjective

This is a historic reform.

jìnxíng 进 行 TO CARRY OUT (5)

This sentence pattern is frequently used in newspapers. The nouns preceded by 进 行 are used as verbs in sentences: words such as 讨 论 to discuss and discussion, 发 展 to develop and development, 谈 判 to negotiate and negotiation are often seen after the verb 进 行. When you learn a new word which is preceded by 进 行, you should remember it as a phrase: for example:

Carry out negotiations

Carry out developments

…fŏu …否: 是否/能否 ... WHETHER... OR NOT (5)

是, 有and most monosyllabic modal verbs can be placed before 否 to form a choice type expression. For example, 是否 whether ... is... or not, 有否 whether... have... or no, 会 否 whether... will... or not, 应 否 whether... should... or not.

Whether these students can graduate or not depends on their academic results.

…fāng …方 SIDE.  (5)

方 is placed after a monosyllabic word:

The Western world.

The British side.  

Our side.

The enemy side.

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