Sentence patterns and function words

Time phrase and place phrase (1)

Time phrases and place phrases are placed before the main verb in a sentence. For instance:

We will hold a meeting at the teacher’s home at midday.

zuì最 MOST (2)

This is placed before stative verbs or adverbs such as

Best.                                

Most delicious.

zài…xià 在 …下 clause UNDER… (2/12/13)

This clause is often placed before the main verb of a sentence. For instance,

                 (entrance exams)

All the primary schoolchildren passed their secondary school entrance exams.

le 了 particle used for completed action (2)

When the particle了 is placed after a verb, it implies that the action is complete. A verb before the particle 了 is usually the main verb of a sentence. For instance,

My teacher made a speech at the meeting.

le 了particle for completed action is not used (2)

When direct or indirect speech is used, 了 is not used after the verb “to speak”. For instance,

The person in charge announced that 16 criminals would be arrested immediately.

Particle 了 for completed action is not used after the verb 宣 布, to announce

Measure words (2)

Measure words are needed in the following situations.

1. When a quantity is involved, for instance, if you use a number in front of a noun.

Three students.

2. When you want to specify a noun, in other words if you use 这 this, 那 that, 每 every. For instance,

This teacher.

3. When the question words 哪 which and 几 how many are used. For example,

How many teachers do you have?

The following two measures words are used in the text:

míng 名is used for members of an institution or major organisation, such as party members and university teachers: 两名大学老师 two university teachers.

gè 个  units of something. It is a common measure word for both abstract and physical objects such as people, schools, and ideas, as in 五个人 five people.

Form phrases

Anti…

Pro…

Head of…

…Dept./ …ministry

Return…

Directional verbs