Verb phrases

Original teaching practice. Read one pattern, cover its model and try the questions before checking the separate answer section. Examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA) retain the course-reference provenance.

variant of 并并bìng / moreover并且bìng qiě (combining verbs: and)

What the meeting did

• You are writing the minutes of a school meeting.
• meeting会议huì yìto discuss讨论tǎo lùnvariant of 并并bìngto pass through通过tōng guò(completed / change)了lenew新xīn(modifier / structural particle)的deplan计划jì huà。 – "The meeting discussed and approved the new plan."

Verb phrase 1 + variant of 并并bìng / moreover并且bìng qiě + Verb phrase 2

• variant of 并并bìng / moreover并且bìng qiě join two actions done by the same subject, often in sequence: "and (also)".
• It is written style, common in reports and formal notices.

he他tāstudied学习xué xí了lethe new新xīnmethod方法fāng fǎ，and并bìngused用yòngin在zàiwork工作gōng zuò(in)中zhōng。

Two steps by one subject

• to ask请qǐngto fill in a form填写tián xiěthis这zhè张表zhāng biǎo，variant of 并并bìngto give交给jiāo gěistage前台qián tái。 – "Please fill in this form and hand it to reception."
• company公司gōng sīinvestigation调查diào chá(completed / change)了lethis这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí，moreover并且bìng qiěto find找到zhǎo dào(completed / change)了lecause原因yuán yīn。 – "The company investigated the problem and found the cause."

please请qǐngfill in填写tián xiěthis这张zhè zhāngform表biǎo，and并bìnghand to交给jiāo gěireception前台qián tái。

Verbs, not nouns

• variant of 并并bìng / moreover并且bìng qiě join verb phrases; to join nouns use and / with和hé: teacher老师lǎo shīand / with和héstudent学生xué shēng, not teacher老师lǎo shīvariant of 并并bìngstudent学生xué shēng.
• Keep one subject: the same person or group does both actions.

variant of 并并bìng + verb versus variant of 并并bìng + not不bù

• variant of 并并bìng + verb phrase = "and": to discuss讨论tǎo lùnvariant of 并并bìngto pass through通过tōng guò.
• variant of 并并bìng + not不bù / not / haven't没méi = "actually not": he / him他tā并不知道bìng bù zhī dào. Check whether a negative follows.

he他tāactually并bìngnot不bùknow知道zhī dào。

Recap

• VP1 + variant of 并并bìng / moreover并且bìng qiě + VP2 = and (also), same subject, written style.
• Nouns take and / with和hé; variant of 并并bìng + not不bù/not / haven't没méi = actually not.

Practise this pattern step by step.

young少shǎo + Verb (do less)

Doctor's orders

• Your doctor looks at your test results and gives you some advice.
• you你nǐshould应该yīng gāiyoung少shǎovariant of 吃吃chīsweet甜tián(modifier / structural particle)的de，many多duōto move运动yùn dòng。 – "You should eat less sugar and exercise more."

young少shǎo + Verb = do less

• young少shǎo + Verb = do less of it: young少shǎovariant of 吃吃chī, young少shǎoto shout喝hē, 少说shǎo shuō.
• young少shǎo goes directly before the verb, like an adverb.

in the evening晚上wǎn shangless少shǎodrink喝hēcoffee咖啡kā fēi。

Advice and quantity

• With an amount: to add less (of a spice etc)少放shǎo fàngerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn érsalt盐yán。 – "Put in a little less salt."
• you你nǐ少说两句shǎo shuō liǎng jù(suggestion)吧ba！ – "Say less (stop talking)!" – a firm request.

less少shǎoput in放fànga little一点儿yì diǎnrsalt盐yán。

Before the verb

• "Eat less" is young少shǎovariant of 吃吃chī, not 吃少chī shǎo: 吃少chī shǎo(completed / change)了le means "ate too little".
• An amount comes after the verb: young少shǎovariant of 吃吃chīerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér, young少shǎoto shout喝hē两杯liǎng bēi.

young少shǎo + Verb versus not不bù + Verb

• 少吃肉shǎo chī ròu = eat less meat (some is fine).
• 不吃bù chīmeat肉ròu = don't eat meat at all.

he他tādoesn't不bùeat吃chīmeat肉ròu。

Recap

• young少shǎo + Verb (+ amount) = do less: young少shǎovariant of 吃吃chī, to add less (of a spice etc)少放shǎo fàngerhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér.
• young少shǎo goes before the verb; 吃少chī shǎo(completed / change)了le = ate too little; not不bù + Verb = not at all.

Practise this pattern step by step.

many多duō + Verb (do more)

Getting fitter

• Your PE teacher gives the class some advice before the fitness test.
• everyone大家dà jiāwant / will / need要yào多喝水duō hē shuǐ，many多duōrest休息xiū xī。 – "Everyone should drink more water and rest more."

many多duō + Verb = do more

• many多duō + Verb = do more of it: many多duōto practice练习liàn xí, many多duō吃水果chī shuǐ guǒ, many多duōto read看书kàn shū.
• many多duō goes directly before the verb, like an adverb.

you你nǐshould应该yīng gāimore多duōeat吃chīfruit水果shuǐ guǒ。

With an amount after the verb

• I / me我wǒmany多duōto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了le两个liǎng gè。 – "I bought two extra."
• many多duōto wear穿chuān一件yī jiànclothes衣服yī fú，outside (also pr. for this…外面wài miàndegree / adjective linker很hěncold冷lěng。 – "Put on an extra layer; it's cold outside."

more多duōwear穿chuānone一件yí jiànlayer衣服yī fu，outside外面wài miànvery很hěncold冷lěng。

Before the verb

• "Practise more" is many多duōto practice练习liàn xí, not to practice练习liàn xímany多duō: to practice练习liàn xímany多duō(completed / change)了le suggests "practised a lot".
• The extra amount goes after the verb: 多住duō zhùseveral days几天jǐ tiān – "stay a few more days".

many多duō + Verb versus 很多hěn duō

• many多duō + Verb = do more (advice): many多duōto see看kàn.
• 很多hěn duō + noun = a lot of: to see看kàn(completed / change)了le很多hěn duōbook书shū – "read a lot of books".

he他tāread看kàn了lemany很多hěn duōbooks书shū。

Recap

• many多duō + Verb (+ amount) = do more / extra: many多duōto practice练习liàn xí, 多买duō mǎi两个liǎng gè.
• many多duō before the verb; 很多hěn duō + noun = a lot of.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to follow由yóu + Person + Verb (done by)

Who's in charge?

• Your teacher divides the work for the class trip.
• 这次zhè cìto exercise活动huó dòng由小王yóu xiǎo wángto be responsible for负责fù zé。 – "Xiao Wang is in charge of this event."

Task + to follow由yóu + person + Verb

• to follow由yóu + person + Verb = "by, (is done) by": it names who is responsible for a task.
• The task comes first as the topic: evening meal晚饭wǎn fànto follow由yóuI / me我wǒto make做zuò – "Dinner will be made by me."

dinner晚饭wǎn fànby由yóume我wǒ(to)来láimake做zuò。

Responsibility and composition

• meeting会议huì yìto follow由yóu(college, university)…校长xiào zhǎngto take charge of主持zhǔ chí。 – "The meeting is chaired by the head teacher."
• to follow由yóu…to form组成zǔ chéng = be made up of: this这个zhè gesquadron队duìto follow由yóu十个shí gèperson人rénto form组成zǔ chéng。 – "The team is made up of ten people."

this这个zhè geteam队duìof由yóuten十个shí gèpeople人rénis made up组成zǔ chéng。

to follow由yóu is not (passive: by)被bèi

• to follow由yóu names who is responsible; (passive: by)被bèi reports something done to the subject, often unwelcome: he / him他tā(passive: by)被bèito criticize批评pī píng(completed / change)了le.
• to follow由yóu sentences usually need no (completed / change)了le or result complement: to follow由yóuhe / him他tāto be responsible for负责fù zé.

to follow由yóu = from (a starting point)

• to follow由yóu can also mean "from" in writing: to follow由yóuBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīngto set off出发chū fā – "set off from Beijing".
• due to由于yóu yú is a different word: "due to, because of".

we我们wǒ menfrom由yóuBeijing北京Běi jīngset off出发chū fā。

Recap

• Task + to follow由yóu + person + Verb = done by / in the charge of; to follow由yóu…to form组成zǔ chéng = made up of.
• to follow由yóu names responsibility; (passive: by)被bèi is the passive of something done to someone.

Practise this pattern step by step.

moreover并且bìng qiě (moreover / and also)

Good, and good value too

• In your review of a hotel, you want to add a second, separate strength.
• 这家zhè jiāwine shop酒店jiǔ diàndegree / adjective linker很hěnclean干净gān jìng，moreover并且bìng qiěprice价格jià géalso也yěnot不bùexpensive贵guì。 – "This hotel is clean, and moreover the price isn't high."

Clause，moreover并且bìng qiě + clause = moreover

• moreover并且bìng qiě adds a further point, often building on the first: "and moreover, and also".
• It starts the second clause; also也yě / still / also还hái often follow in that clause.

he他tācan会huìspeak说shuōEnglish英语Yīng yǔ，and moreover并且bìng qiěspeaks说shuō得devery很hěnwell好hǎo。

Adding a stronger point

• he / him他tāon time按时àn shíto complete完成wán chéng(completed / change)了lemission任务rèn wù，moreover并且bìng qiěto make做zuò(degree marker)得devery非常fēi chánggood好hǎo。 – "He finished the task on time, and did it very well too."
• It is close to moreover而且ér qiě, a little more written.

he他tāon time按时àn shífinished完成wán chéng了lethe task任务rèn wu，and moreover并且bìng qiědid it做zuò得devery很hěnwell好hǎo。

Same direction

• Both points must point the same way (both good or both bad); for a contrast use but但是dàn shì.
• moreover并且bìng qiě does not join two nouns: apple苹果píng guǒand / with和hébanana香蕉xiāng jiāo, not apple苹果píng guǒmoreover并且bìng qiěbanana香蕉xiāng jiāo.

moreover并且bìng qiě versus moreover而且ér qiě

• moreover而且ér qiě is very common in speech and pairs with not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn: not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàncheap便宜pián yi，moreover而且ér qiěto be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī.
• moreover并且bìng qiě suits writing and lists of actions or facts; both mean "moreover".

not only不但bú dàncheap便宜pián yi，but also而且ér qiětasty好吃hǎo chī。

Recap

• Clause，moreover并且bìng qiě + clause = and moreover, adding a point in the same direction.
• Close to moreover而且ér qiě (more spoken); contrasts take but但是dàn shì; nouns take and / with和hé.

Practise this pattern step by step.

always从来cóng lái + not不bù / not / haven't没méi (never)

Planning a trip west

• Friends are planning a trip to Xinjiang and ask whether you know the region.
• I / me我wǒalways从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi去过qù guòXinjiang新疆xīn jiāng。 – "I've never been to Xinjiang."

always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi + Verb + (experienced)过guo = never (once)

• For experience, always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi(to have / there is有yǒu) + Verb + (experienced)过guo = "have never done": always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méito appear见jiàn(experienced)过guo, always从来cóng lái没听说过méi tīng shuō guò.
• For habits or rules, never从来不cóng lái bù + Verb: he / him他tānever从来不cóng lái bù喝咖啡hē kā fēi.

I我wǒever从来cóng láinot没méihear of听说tīng shuō(experience)过guothis这个zhè geplace地方dì fang。

Never versus not yet

• I / me我wǒstill / also还háinot / haven't没méi去过qù guò。 – "I haven't been yet (but I might)."
• I / me我wǒalways从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi去过qù guò。 – "I've never once been." always从来cóng lái stresses the whole of the past.

I我wǒyet还háinot没méigo去qù(experience)过guo。

Keep (experienced)过guo and choose not / haven't没méi or not不bù

• Experience: always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi + V + (experienced)过guo; habit: never从来不cóng lái bù + V. Do not mix: never从来不cóng lái bù去过qù guò is wrong.
• Use (experienced)过guo for the experiential model here. Other predicates can form complete always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi statements without (experienced)过guo; there is no universal requirement.

always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi versus all along一直yì zhínot / haven't没méi

• all along一直yì zhínot / haven't没méi = "hasn't … all this time" (up to now, a specific wait): he / him他tāall along一直yì zhínot / haven't没méivariant of 回回huíI / me我wǒnews消息xiāo xī.
• always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi = "never, in one's whole experience": he / him他tāalways从来cóng láinot / haven't没méito arrive late迟到chí dào(experienced)过guo.

he他tāall this time一直yì zhíhasn't没méireplied to回huímy我wǒmessage消息xiāo xi。

Recap

• always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi + V + (experienced)过guo = never (experience); never从来不cóng lái bù + V = never (habit).
• still / also还háinot / haven't没méi = not yet; all along一直yì zhínot / haven't没méi = not during this whole stretch.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to be worth值得zhí de + Verb (worth doing)

Is it worth visiting?

• A friend asks whether the Forbidden City is worth the long queue.
• former imperial palace故宫gù gōngdegree / adjective linker很hěnto be worth值得zhí deto go去qù。 – "The Forbidden City is well worth a visit."

to be worth值得zhí de + Verb = worth doing

• A + to be worth值得zhí de + Verb = A is worth doing: to be worth值得zhí deto see看kàn, to be worth值得zhí de一去yī qù, to be worth值得zhí deto learn学习xué xí.
• degree / adjective linker很hěn / very非常fēi cháng can go before it: degree / adjective linker很hěnto be worth值得zhí de.

this这zhè(measure word)本běnbook书shūis worth值得zhí dea read一看yí kàn。

Worth it or not

• this这个zhè gequestion问题wèn títo be worth值得zhí dewe / us我们wǒ mento discuss讨论tǎo lùn。 – "This question deserves our discussion."
• Negative: for为wèi这点儿zhè diǎn értrifle小事xiǎo shìto get angry生气shēng qì，not不bùto be worth值得zhí de。 – "It's not worth getting angry over something so small."

over为wèithis这zhèlittle点儿diǎnrmatter小事xiǎo shìget angry生气shēng qì，not不bùworth it值得zhí de。

The thing comes first

• Put what is worth it first: this这zhè本书běn shūto be worth值得zhí deto see看kàn, not to be worth值得zhí dethis这zhè本书běn shūto see看kàn.
• The negative is not不bùto be worth值得zhí de, not not / haven't没méito be worth值得zhí de.

to be worth值得zhí de versus value值zhí

• value值zhí + amount = be worth (money): 这块zhè kuàiwristwatch手表shǒu biǎovalue值zhí一万块yī wàn kuài – "This watch is worth 10,000 yuan."
• to be worth值得zhí de + verb = worth doing.

this这块zhè kuàiwatch手表shǒu biǎois worth值zhí10,000一万yí wànyuan块kuài。

Recap

• A + to be worth值得zhí de + Verb = A is worth doing; negative not不bùto be worth值得zhí de.
• value值zhí + amount = worth (in money).

Practise this pattern step by step.

Verb + to / arrive到dào + Time / Event (until)

Up all night

• Your roommate had a deadline and you could see her light under the door.
• she / her她tāyesterday昨天zuó tiānto work工作gōng zuòto / arrive到dàovery early in the morning凌晨líng chén三点sān diǎn。 – "She worked until three in the morning yesterday."

Verb + to / arrive到dào + time / event

• Verb + to / arrive到dào + end point = do something until then: to sleep睡shuìto / arrive到dào十点shí diǎn, to wait until等到děng dàotomorrow明天míng tiān, to learn (sth)学到xué dàoevening晚上wǎn shàng.
• The end point goes after to / arrive到dào, right after the verb.

he他tāat weekends周末zhōu mòoften常常cháng chángsleep睡shuìuntil到dàonoon中午zhōng wǔ。

Until an event

• we / us我们wǒ mento wait until等到děng dào雨停yǔ tíng(completed / change)了leonly then / not until才cáito set off出发chū fā。 – "We waited until the rain stopped before setting off."
• he / him他tāall along一直yì zhíto work工作gōng zuòto / arrive到dàoto retire (from the…退休tuì xiū。 – "He kept working until he retired."

we我们wǒ menwait等děnguntil到dàothe rain雨yǔstop停tíng了leonly then才cáiset off出发chū fā。

Verb first, then to / arrive到dào

• Say to sleep睡shuìto / arrive到dào十点shí diǎn, not to / arrive到dào十点shí diǎnto sleep睡shuì (that means "go to bed at ten").
• With an object, repeat the verb or put the object first: to read看书kàn shūto see看到kàn dàodegree / adjective linker很hěnevening晚wǎn / book书shūto see看到kàn dàodegree / adjective linker很hěnevening晚wǎn.

Verb + to / arrive到dào versus until直到zhí dào…only then / not until才cái

• Verb + to / arrive到dào gives the end point neutrally: Taiwan pr.玩wánto / arrive到dào十点shí diǎn.
• until直到zhí dào…only then / not until才cái… stresses that something happened only at that late point: until直到zhí dào十点shí diǎnhe / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito return home回家huí jiā.

not until直到zhí dàoten十点shí diǎnhe他tāonly then才cáiwent home回家huí jiā。

Recap

• Verb + to / arrive到dào + time / event = do it until then: to work工作gōng zuòto / arrive到dào三点sān diǎn, to wait until等到děng dào雨停yǔ tíng.
• Verb before to / arrive到dào; with an object, repeat the verb. until直到zhí dào…only then / not until才cái stresses lateness.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de (cause sb to suffer)

All because of you

• Your brother hid your alarm clock as a joke, and you missed your train.
• 你害nǐ hài(degree marker)得deI / me我wǒto arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le！ – "You made me late!" to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de blames someone for a bad result.

A + to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de + B + bad result

• to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de = "cause someone to suffer, make (something bad) happen to": the result is always unwelcome.
• The result comes after the person: to cause or lead to sth bad害得hài déI / me我wǒnot / haven't没méito keep up with赶上gǎn shàngwar chariot (archaic)车chē.

he他tācaused害得hài deme我wǒnot没méicatch赶上gǎn shàngthe bus车chē。

Causes that are things

• 这场zhè chǎngheavy rain大雨dà yǔto do harm to害hài(degree marker)得dewe / us我们wǒ menat / in在zàiairport机场jī chǎngto wait for等děng(completed / change)了le五个wǔ gèhour小时xiǎo shí。 – "This rainstorm made us wait five hours at the airport."
• you你nǐall along一直yì zhí不回bù huínews消息xiāo xī，to cause or lead to sth bad害得hài déI / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnanxious担心dān xīn。 – "You didn't reply all day, and it made me really worried."

this这场zhè chǎngrainstorm大雨dà yǔcaused害得hài deus我们wǒ menwait等děng了lefive五个wǔ gèhours小时xiǎo shí。

Only bad results

• Do not use to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de for good outcomes; for neutral or good causes use to let / make让ràng / to make使shǐ: he / him他tāif (coming after a…的话de huàto let / make让ràngI / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng.
• Keep the person after to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de: to cause or lead to sth bad害得hài déI / me我wǒto arrive late迟到chí dào, not to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得deto arrive late迟到chí dàoI / me我wǒ.

to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de versus to let / make让ràng

• to let / make让ràng is neutral: this这个zhè genews消息xiāo xīto let / make让ràngI / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnto feel sad难过nán guò – "This news made me sad."
• to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de adds blame: 你害nǐ hài(degree marker)得deI / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnto feel sad难过nán guò – "You made me so upset (it's your fault)."

this这个zhè genews消息xiāo ximade让ràngme我wǒvery很hěnsad难过nán guò。

Recap

• A + to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de + B + bad result = A caused B to suffer (with blame).
• Bad results only; neutral causes take to let / make让ràng / to make使shǐ.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Separable verbs (clutch (in car gearbox)离合lí héword词cí)

A verb that splits in two

• You tell a friend you went swimming twice this week and had a haircut too.
• 我理wǒ lǐ(completed / change)了lefirst一次yī cìhair发fā，to walk游yóu(completed / change)了le两次liǎng cìswimming泳yǒng。 – "I had my hair cut once and went swimming twice."

Verb-object words (clutch (in car gearbox)离合lí héword词cí)

• Some words are really verb + object in one word: swimming游泳yóu yǒng (swim), to meet见面jiàn miàn (meet: see + face), to go to bed睡觉shuì jiào (sleep), to help帮忙bāng máng (help: help + task).
• Words like (completed / change)了le, (experienced)过guo, amounts and (modifier / structural particle)的de go between the two parts: 见了面jiàn le miàn, to sleep睡shuì(completed / change)了le一个yí gèhour小时xiǎo shíto feel觉jué.

we我们wǒ menmet见jiàn(before)过guoface面miàn。

No second object

• Because they already contain an object, they cannot take another: with / and跟gēnfriend朋友péng yǒuto meet见面jiàn miàn, not to meet见面jiàn miànfriend朋友péng yǒu.
• Use a preposition for the person: to help帮bāngI / me我wǒ一个yí gèbusy忙máng / to / for / give给gěihe / him他tāto help帮忙bāng máng, not to help帮忙bāng mánghe / him他tā.

I我wǒtomorrow明天míng tiānwith跟gēna friend朋友péng youmeet见面jiàn miàn。

Two classic errors

• Do not add an object after them: with / and跟gēnhe / him他tāto meet见面jiàn miàn, not to meet见面jiàn miànhe / him他tā; to / for / give给gěiI / me我wǒto help帮忙bāng máng, not to help帮忙bāng mángI / me我wǒ.
• Put duration and (completed / change)了le inside: to sleep睡shuì(completed / change)了le八个bā gèhour小时xiǎo shíto feel觉jué or to go to bed睡觉shuì jiàoto sleep睡shuì(completed / change)了le八个bā gèhour小时xiǎo shí, not to go to bed睡觉shuì jiào(completed / change)了le八个bā gèhour小时xiǎo shí.

Common separable verbs

• to marry结婚jié hūn (marry): with / and跟gēnshe / her她tāto marry结婚jié hūn, knot结jié(experienced)过guo两次liǎng cìto marry婚hūn. to get angry生气shēng qì (get angry): 生他shēng tā(modifier / structural particle)的degas气qì – "be angry with him".
• to go to class上课shàng kè, graduation毕业bì yè, to bathe洗澡xǐ zǎo, to sing a song唱歌chàng gē, to dance跳舞tiào wǔ work the same way: to sing唱chàng(completed / change)了le一首歌yī shǒu gē.

don't别biébe生shēnghim他tā(at)的deangry气qì。

Recap

• clutch (in car gearbox)离合lí héword词cí = verb + object in one word (swimming游泳yóu yǒng, to meet见面jiàn miàn, to help帮忙bāng máng, to go to bed睡觉shuì jiào): (completed / change)了le / (experienced)过guo / amounts go inside.
• No extra object: use with / and跟gēn / to / for / give给gěi + person, or to be born生shēng…(modifier / structural particle)的degas气qì.

Practise this pattern step by step.

V (ongoing -ing)着zhe V (ongoing -ing)着zhe then / just就jiù … (completed / change)了le (while …-ing, suddenly)

Asleep in front of the TV

• Your dad was watching a film after dinner. When you came back, he was snoring.
• he / him他tā看着kàn zhe看着kàn zhethen / just就jiùto fall asleep睡着shuì zháo(completed / change)了le。 – "He was watching and watching, and then he fell asleep."

V (ongoing -ing)着zhe V (ongoing -ing)着zhe then / just就jiù + new event + (completed / change)了le

• V(ongoing -ing)着zheV(ongoing -ing)着zhe，then / just就jiù…(completed / change)了le = while doing V (for a while), something new happened without planning.
• The first action continues; the second appears suddenly.

she她tātalk说shuō(ongoing)着zhetalk说shuō(ongoing)着zhethen就jiùcry哭kū了le。

Stories and surprises

• we / us我们wǒ mento walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zheto walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zhe，then / just就jiùto lose the way迷路mí lù(completed / change)了le。 – "We were walking along, and before we knew it we were lost."
• child孩子hái ziTaiwan pr.玩wán(ongoing -ing)着zheTaiwan pr.玩wán(ongoing -ing)着zhethen / just就jiù笑了起来xiào le qǐ lái。 – "While playing, the child started laughing."

we我们wǒ menwalk走zǒu(ongoing)着zhewalk走zǒu(ongoing)着zhethen就jiùget lost迷路mí lù了le。

One-syllable verb, past events

• Use a one-syllable verb, repeated with (ongoing -ing)着zhe each time: 看着kàn zhe看着kàn zhe, not to take a look at看看kàn kàn(ongoing -ing)着zhe(ongoing -ing)着zhe.
• It describes what happened in the past (a story), so the second part ends with (completed / change)了le.

Versus one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān…

• one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān… = two actions at once, both planned: one side一边yī biānvariant of 吃吃chīone side一边yī biānto see看kàn.
• V(ongoing -ing)着zheV(ongoing -ing)着zhethen / just就jiù… = a new event slips in while one action goes on: variant of 吃吃chī(ongoing -ing)着zhevariant of 吃吃chī(ongoing -ing)着zhethen / just就jiùto fall asleep睡着shuì zháo(completed / change)了le.

he他tāwhile一边yì biāneating吃chī(also)一边yì biānwatches看kànTV电视diàn shì。

Recap

• V(ongoing -ing)着zheV(ongoing -ing)着zhe，then / just就jiù + new event + (completed / change)了le = while doing V, (unexpectedly) …
• One-syllable verb, past story, (completed / change)了le at the end. one side一边yī biān…one side一边yī biān… = two planned actions.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Practice without the models

Choose a pattern, cover its teaching examples, and attempt its questions. Use the labels to find feedback in the separate key.

variant of 并并bìng / moreover并且bìng qiě (combining verbs: and)

1401.1 Complete (written): “Please read the notice and sign it.” to ask请qǐngto read阅读yuè dúto notify通知tōng zhī，…………to sign (one's name with a…签名qiān míng。

1401.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. I / me我wǒvariant of 并并bìngto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了leapple苹果píng guǒvariant of 并并bìngbanana香蕉xiāng jiāo。
• B. I / me我wǒto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了leapple苹果píng guǒvariant of 并并bìngbanana香蕉xiāng jiāo。
• C. I / me我wǒto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了levariant of 并并bìngapple苹果píng guǒand / with和hébanana香蕉xiāng jiāo。
• D. I / me我wǒto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了leapple苹果píng guǒand / with和hébanana香蕉xiāng jiāo。

1401.3 Build: “The meeting discussed and approved the plan.”

Arrange all chunks: variant of 并并bìngto pass through通过tōng guò(completed / change)了le / to discuss讨论tǎo lùn / meeting会议huì yì / plan计划jì huà。

1401.4 In he / him他tā并不知道bìng bù zhī dào, variant of 并并bìng means “and”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1401.5 You are writing the minutes of a school meeting. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

young少shǎo + Verb (do less)

1402.1 Advise: “Play less on your phone.” …………Taiwan pr.玩wáncell phone手机shǒu jī。

1402.2 What does I / me我wǒvariant of 吃吃chīyoung少shǎo(completed / change)了le mean?

• A. I should eat less.
• B. I ate less than before on purpose.
• C. I ate too little.
• D. I don't eat.

1402.3 Build: “Put in a little less salt.”

Arrange all chunks: erhua variant of 一点一点儿yì diǎn ér / salt盐yán。 / to put放fàng / young少shǎo

1402.4 少吃肉shǎo chī ròu means “don't eat meat at all”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1402.5 Your doctor looks at your test results and gives you some advice. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

many多duō + Verb (do more)

1403.1 Advise: “Practise speaking more.” …………to practice练习liàn xícolloquial speech口语kǒu yǔ。

1403.2 Which says “Stay a few more days”?

• A. to live住zhùseveral days几天jǐ tiānmany多duō。
• B. 很多hěn duōto live住zhùseveral days几天jǐ tiān。
• C. to live住zhùmany多duōseveral days几天jǐ tiān。
• D. 多住duō zhùseveral days几天jǐ tiān。

1403.3 Build: “Put on an extra layer.”

Arrange all chunks: 一件yī jiàn / clothes衣服yī fú。 / many多duō / to wear穿chuān

1403.4 In to see看kàn(completed / change)了le很多hěn duōbook书shū, 很多hěn duō describes the books.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1403.5 Your PE teacher gives the class some advice before the fitness test. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

to follow由yóu + Person + Verb (done by)

1404.1 Complete: “This matter will be handled by me.” 这件zhè jiànmatter事shì…………我来wǒ láito handle处理chǔ lǐ。

1404.2 Which says “He was criticised by the teacher”?

• A. he / him他tā(passive: by)被bèiteacher老师lǎo shīto criticize批评pī píng(completed / change)了le。
• B. he / him他tāto follow由yóuteacher老师lǎo shīto criticize批评pī píng(completed / change)了le。
• C. he / him他tāto follow由yóuto criticize批评pī píngteacher老师lǎo shī。
• D. teacher老师lǎo shīto follow由yóuhe / him他tāto criticize批评pī píng。

1404.3 Build: “The team is made up of ten people.”

Arrange all chunks: to form组成zǔ chéng。 / to follow由yóu十个shí gèperson人rén / this这个zhè gesquadron队duì

1404.4 to follow由yóuBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīngto set off出发chū fā means “set off from Beijing”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1404.5 Your teacher divides the work for the class trip. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

moreover并且bìng qiě (moreover / and also)

1405.1 Complete (written): “The room is big, and moreover it is bright.” room房间fáng jiān很大hěn dà，…………degree / adjective linker很hěnbright亮liàng。

1405.2 Which sentence is natural?

• A. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnintelligent聪明cōng míng，moreover并且bìng qiědegree / adjective linker很hěnto make an effort努力nǔ lì。
• B. he / him他tāmoreover并且bìng qiěintelligent聪明cōng míngdegree / adjective linker很hěnto make an effort努力nǔ lì。
• C. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnintelligent聪明cōng míng，moreover并且bìng qiěnot不bùintelligent聪明cōng míng。
• D. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnintelligent聪明cōng míng，moreover并且bìng qiědegree / adjective linker很hěnlazy懒lǎn。

1405.3 Build: “He finished on time, and did it very well too.”

Arrange all chunks: ， / moreover并且bìng qiě / he / him他tāon time按时àn shíto complete完成wán chéng(completed / change)了lemission任务rèn wù / to make做zuò(degree marker)得dedegree / adjective linker很hěngood好hǎo。

1405.4 not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn pairs naturally with moreover而且ér qiě.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1405.5 In your review of a hotel, you want to add a second, separate strength. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

always从来cóng lái + not不bù / not / haven't没méi (never)

1406.1 Complete: “I've never heard of this place.” I / me我wǒalways从来cóng láinot / haven't没méito hear (sth said)听说tīng shuō…………this这个zhè gearea地方dì fāng。

1406.2 You plan to visit Xi'an next month but haven't been yet. Which fits?

• A. I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíto go去qùXi'an, sub-provincial city…西安xī ān。
• B. I / me我wǒstill / also还háinot / haven't没méi去过qù guòXi'an, sub-provincial city…西安xī ān。
• C. I / me我wǒalways从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi去过qù guòXi'an, sub-provincial city…西安xī ān。
• D. I / me我wǒnever从来不cóng lái bùto go去qùXi'an, sub-provincial city…西安xī ān。

1406.3 Build: “I've never been to Xinjiang.”

Arrange all chunks: Xinjiang新疆xīn jiāng。 / always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi / I / me我wǒ / 去过qù guò

1406.4 he / him他tānever从来不cóng lái bù去过qù guò is correct.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1406.5 Friends are planning a trip to Xinjiang and ask whether you know the region. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

to be worth值得zhí de + Verb (worth doing)

1407.1 Complete: “This film is worth seeing.” 这部zhè bùmovie电影diàn yǐng…………to see看kàn。

1407.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. this这个zhè gearea地方dì fāngto go去qùto be worth值得zhí de。
• B. to be worth值得zhí dethis这个zhè gearea地方dì fāngto go去qù。
• C. this这个zhè gearea地方dì fāngto be worth值得zhí deto go去qù。
• D. this这个zhè gearea地方dì fāngnot / haven't没méito be worth值得zhí deto go去qù。

1407.3 Build: “It's not worth getting angry.”

Arrange all chunks: to get angry生气shēng qì / not不bù / to be worth值得zhí de。 / ，

1407.4 这块zhè kuàiwristwatch手表shǒu biǎovalue值zhí一万块yī wàn kuài uses value值zhí for a money value.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1407.5 A friend asks whether the Forbidden City is worth the long queue. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

Verb + to / arrive到dào + Time / Event (until)

1408.1 Complete: “I slept until ten.” I / me我wǒto sleep睡shuì…………十点shí diǎn。

1408.2 Which says “He read until midnight”?

• A. he / him他tāto see看到kàn dàobook书shūmidnight半夜bàn yè。
• B. he / him他tāmidnight半夜bàn yèto / arrive到dàoto read看书kàn shū。
• C. he / him他tāto read看书kàn shūto see看到kàn dàomidnight半夜bàn yè。
• D. he / him他tāto / arrive到dàomidnight半夜bàn yèto read看书kàn shū。

1408.3 Build: “He kept working until he retired.”

Arrange all chunks: to retire (from the…退休tuì xiū。 / all along一直yì zhí / to work工作gōng zuòto / arrive到dào / he / him他tā

1408.4 to / arrive到dào十点shí diǎnto sleep睡shuì means “sleep until ten”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1408.5 Your roommate had a deadline and you could see her light under the door. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de (cause sb to suffer)

1409.1 Blame: “You made me miss the film!” you你nǐ…………I / me我wǒnot / haven't没méito see看kàn(bound form) up上shàngmovie电影diàn yǐng！

1409.2 Which sentence is natural?

• A. traffic jam堵车dǔ chēto do harm to害hài(degree marker)得dewe / us我们wǒ mento arrive late迟到chí dào(completed / change)了le。
• B. teacher老师lǎo shī(modifier / structural particle)的deto praise表扬biǎo yángto cause or lead to sth bad害得hài déI / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng。
• C. 他害tā hài(degree marker)得deI / me我wǒto check考kǎo(completed / change)了le第一名dì yì míng。
• D. good好hǎoweather天气tiān qìto do harm to害hài(degree marker)得dewe / us我们wǒ mento go去qùto climb a mountain爬山pá shān。

1409.3 Build: “You didn't reply, and it made me worried.”

Arrange all chunks: degree / adjective linker很hěnanxious担心dān xīn。 / ， / you你nǐnot不bùvariant of 回回huínews消息xiāo xī / to cause or lead to sth bad害得hài déI / me我wǒ

1409.4 to do harm to害hài(degree marker)得de adds blame that to let / make让ràng does not.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1409.5 Your brother hid your alarm clock as a joke, and you missed your train. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

Separable verbs (clutch (in car gearbox)离合lí héword词cí)

1410.1 Complete: “We have met before.” we / us我们wǒ mento appear见jiàn…………flour面miàn。

1410.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngto meet见面jiàn miànyou你nǐ。
• B. I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngwith / and跟gēnyou你nǐto meet见面jiàn miàn。
• C. I / me我wǒto infer想见xiǎng jiàn你面nǐ miàn。
• D. I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngto meet face to face面见miàn jiànyou你nǐ(completed / change)了le。

1410.3 Build: “Could you do me a favour?”

Arrange all chunks: you你nǐcan / be able to能néng / 一个yí gè / to help帮bāngI / me我wǒ / busy忙máng(yes/no ?)吗ma？

1410.4 he / him他tāknot结jié(experienced)过guo两次liǎng cìto marry婚hūn puts the amount inside to marry结婚jié hūn.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1410.5 You tell a friend you went swimming twice this week and had a haircut too. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

V (ongoing -ing)着zhe V (ongoing -ing)着zhe then / just就jiù … (completed / change)了le (while …-ing, suddenly)

1411.1 Complete: “While reading, she fell asleep.” she / her她tā看着kàn zhe看着kàn zhe…………to fall asleep睡着shuì zháo(completed / change)了le。

1411.2 Which form is correct?

• A. he / him他tāto walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zheto walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zhethen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。
• B. he / him他tā(ongoing -ing)着zheto walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zheto walk走zǒuthen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。
• C. he / him他tā走走zǒu zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zhe(ongoing -ing)着zhethen / just就jiùto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。
• D. he / him他tāto walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zhethen / just就jiùto walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zheto / arrive到dào(completed / change)了le。

1411.3 Build: “We were walking, and before we knew it we were lost.”

Arrange all chunks: we / us我们wǒ men / then / just就jiù / to lose the way迷路mí lù(completed / change)了le。 / to walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zheto walk走zǒu(ongoing -ing)着zhe

1411.4 V(ongoing -ing)着zheV(ongoing -ing)着zhethen / just就jiù… describes two planned actions done together.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

1411.5 Your dad was watching a film after dinner. When you came back, he was snoring. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

A fresh situation

R1. Interpret and repair. A learner insists that every always从来cóng láinot / haven't没méi sentence must include (experienced)过guo. Is I / me我wǒalways从来cóng lái没说méi shuōthis kind of这种zhè zhǒngold variant of 话话huà invalid?

R2. Use it yourself. Say an activity is worth trying and that repeated work was interrupted by a sudden event.

Write your responses before opening the key. Compare meaning as well as form; a different valid answer need not copy the model.