Sentence patterns and function words

 

jiù CONCERNING (10)

is used to bring a topic to readers’ attention.  The topic is placed after to form a clause. The clause can either be placed before the subject of a sentence or before a main verb. A verb-object phrase is preceded by the clause. 进行 is one of the most commonly used verbs in this construction. The verb 进行 is followed by a noun which consists of a verb meaning such as 讨论 discussion / discuss, 发展 develop/ development. For instance:

我们

论。

We carried out a serious discussion on the scholarship issue. 

谈。

The Chinese and British Governments carried out discussions on the draft H.K. Basic Law.

Examples

Write down the English translation of the following words and phrasers in the boxes below.

 

 

 

播的

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

脑进 了探

 

 

yĭ (A) wéi (B)   (A) (B)   REGARD (A) AS (B)  (10)

In this construction, means to use, to take and means to be as. Literally this construction means to take (A) as (B). Both (A) and (B) are nouns or pronouns. This is similar to the construction, but is used in written Chinese. For instance:

   A 

      B

    

 

Follow his example.

In the spoken language is used and this would be .                    

Examples

Write down the English translation of the following words and phrasers in the boxes below.

 

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

经济

 

 

 

 

政治

 

 

 

 

 

shàng… REACH (10)

When is used as a verb, one of its meanings is to reach. In this usage, is followed by a numeral unit over ten as in reach hundreds. reach ten thousands.

 

Examples

Write down the English translation of the following words and phrasers in the boxes below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

广

 

广

 

 

…nèi WITHIN (10)

When implies within, it is placed at the end of a clause. The clause can be the duration, numeral or place. is often preceded by or . For instance:

(/)

Within 10 days.

 

Examples

Write down the English translation of the following words and phrasers in the boxes below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

西

 

 

十年

 

 

西

 

 

…yú OVER (10)

also means surplus. When is preceded by a numeral over 10, its meaning is similar to : over, more. For example:

Over a hundred people.

 

Example

Write down the English translation of the following words and phrasers in the boxes below.

 

 

40

 

里只 40

 

 

… qíyú   REST OF … (10)

means its, means surplus. is a pronoun and is often followed by a noun. For instance: 

,

,

其余 了。

Two of our classmates have gone home, one is in the library and the rest have gone to the pub.

Example

Write down the English translation of the following words and phrasers in the boxes below.

我同

 

 

 

 

 

其余

 

 

我同 国,两 国,其余 的都

 

 

chúle…yĭwài … () APART FROM… (10)

The person or the action after apart from is placed between 除了 and 以外. Very often or 以外 is omitted, especially in the spoken language. The clause after 除了...以外 often consists of the following adverbs:

-----all:

除了 以外

口。

Apart from tea, China does not export anything.

-----also:

除了 以外

叶。

In addition to  exporting tea, China also imports tea.

-----in addition:

除了 以外

食。

In addition to exporting tea, China also exports grain.

-----again:

除了 以外

叶。

In addition to exporting tea last year, China exported tea again this year.

 

Reading tips

 

How do I find the person’s name in a sentence? (10)

 

A person's full name often appears after the title of his post: 外交部长王强 the Foreign Minister Wang Qiang.

 

Where can I find the main verb of a sentence? (10)

 

Main verbs can appear after modal verbs such as will, shall and adverbs such as already.

... clause is often followed by a verb.