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.
again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (again, in the past)
Late again
- Your classmate arrived late on Monday, and on Tuesday the teacher sighs when the door opens at 8:20.
- he / him他again又to arrive late迟到(completed / change)了。 — "He is late again." again又 says the same thing has happened once more.
Subject + again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了
- again又 goes before the verb and (completed / change)了 marks the repeated event as having happened: again又to rain下雨(completed / change)了, again又to forget忘(completed / change)了.
- It often carries a feeling: surprise, annoyance or amusement that it happened again.
I我again又forget忘了his他的name名字。
Repeated past events
- yesterday昨天to rain下雨，today今天again又to rain下雨(completed / change)了。 — "It rained yesterday, and today it is raining again."
- With an object: she / her她again又to buy买(completed / change)了一双variant of 鞋鞋。 — "She bought another pair of shoes."
she她again又buy买了a一pair双shoes鞋。
Past again needs again又, not again / then再
- For something that has already happened again, use again又: he / him他again又to come来(completed / change)了, not he / him他again / then再to come来(completed / change)了.
- again又 stands before the verb, after the subject and any time word: he / him他yesterday昨天again又to arrive late迟到(completed / change)了.
again又 for a repetition you can predict
- again又 also works for a regular repetition that is certain to come: tomorrow明天again又to be / is是Monday星期一(completed / change)了。 — "Tomorrow is Monday again."
- For a planned or requested repetition, use again / then再: to ask请to say again再说one time (all the way…一遍 — "Please say it again."
tomorrow明天again又is是Monday星期一了。
Recap
- again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了 = did it again (it already happened once more).
- again又 also fits a certain, regular repetition (again又to be / is是Monday星期一(completed / change)了); a planned or requested "again" takes again / then再.
Practise this pattern step by step.
all along一直 (all along, continuously)
It has not stopped all day
- You look out of the window at 6 p.m. The rain started in the morning and has not stopped once.
- today今天all along一直at / in在to rain下雨。 — "It has been raining all day (non-stop)."
all along一直 + Verb phrase
- Subject + all along一直 + Verb = do something continuously, without a break, over a period: all along一直at / in在to wait for等, all along一直degree / adjective linker很busy忙.
- It goes before the verb or adjective and often combines with at / in在 or all / both都.
I我the whole time一直(ongoing)在wait for等you你。
All along: a state that has not changed
- I / me我all along一直want / think / miss想to go去China中国。 — "I have always wanted to go to China."
- he / him他all along一直to live住at / in在Shanghai municipality…上海。 — "He has lived in Shanghai all along." The state lasts from then until now.
he他all along一直live住in在Shanghai上海。
Continuous, not repeated
- all along一直 means without interruption; for something done again and again, use always总是 or often经常.
- Put all along一直 before the verb, not at the end of the sentence: he / him他all along一直at / in在to work工作, not he / him他at / in在to work工作all along一直.
Another meaning: straight ahead
- Giving directions, all along一直 means "straight": all along一直往前走，then / just就to / arrive到(completed / change)了。 — "Go straight ahead and you're there."
- With not / haven't没 or not不, it means "never, all this time": he / him他all along一直not / haven't没to come来 — "He still hasn't come (the whole time)."
straight一直towards往the front前walk走。
Recap
- all along一直 + Verb/Adj = continuously, all along, from then until now.
- all along一直not / haven't没 = has not … the whole time. In directions, all along一直to walk走 = go straight.
Practise this pattern step by step.
always总是 (always — a habit)
Every single morning
- Your father starts every day the same way, whatever the weather.
- (coll.) father爸爸early morning早上always总是early先喝一杯coffee (loanword)咖啡。 — "Dad always has a cup of coffee first thing in the morning."
Subject + always总是 + Verb
- always总是 = "always, every time": a habit or a pattern that keeps repeating. It goes before the verb.
- Time words come before it: he / him他weekend周末always总是to go去to climb a mountain爬山 — "At weekends he always goes hiking."
he他at weekends周末always总是go去hiking爬山。
Habits and repeated situations
- she / her她always总是第一个to / arrive到classroom教室。 — "She is always the first to arrive in the classroom."
- It can describe a repeated state too: here这里(modifier / structural particle)的winter冬天always总是degree / adjective linker很cold冷。 — "Winters here are always cold."
she她always总是the first第一个arrive at到the classroom教室。
Position and negation
- always总是 goes before the verb, never at the end: he / him他always总是to arrive late迟到, not he / him他to arrive late迟到always总是.
- "Never" is not always总是not不 in most cases; use never从来不: he / him他never从来不to drink (alcohol)喝酒 — "He never drinks."
always总是 versus always老是 and all along一直
- always总是 is neutral: a fact about a habit. always老是 sounds like a complaint: 你老to be / is是忘带key钥匙！
- all along一直 is one continuous stretch (all along一直at / in在to rain下雨); always总是 is the same thing happening again and again.
you你always老是forget忘to bring带keys钥匙！
Recap
- always总是 + Verb = always, every time: a habit or repeated pattern.
- Before the verb, after time words. "Never" = never从来不; a complaint often uses always老是.
Practise this pattern step by step.
finally终于 (finally, at last)
After a two-hour wait
- The train was delayed and you have been waiting on the platform since six. At eight it pulls in.
- train火车finally终于to come来(completed / change)了！ — "The train has finally come!"
Subject + finally终于 + Verb (+ (completed / change)了)
- finally终于 = "finally, at last": a result comes after a long wait, effort or process. It goes before the verb.
- Because it reports an outcome that has now happened, the sentence usually ends with (completed / change)了 or uses Verb + (completed / change)了.
I我finally终于found找到了my我的keys钥匙。
After effort or after a long process
- 他学(completed / change)了三年，finally终于to pass a university…考上(completed / change)了university大学。 — "After three years of study, he finally got into university."
- The outcome need not be good news: he / him他busy忙(completed / change)了一个月，finally终于to fall ill病倒(completed / change)了。 — "After a month of overwork he finally fell ill."
he他study学了three years三年，finally终于got into考上了university大学。
What finally终于 needs
- It needs a long wait or process before it; it does not mean "at the end of a list". For "lastly", use final最后.
- Put finally终于 after the subject, before the verb: he / him他finally终于to come来(completed / change)了, not finally终于他来(completed / change)了 in ordinary speech.
finally终于 versus final最后
- final最后 orders events: we / us我们early先to have a meal吃饭，final最后to go去to see看movie电影 — "First we ate, and last we went to a film."
- finally终于 adds the feeling of a long wait reaching its end: to wait for等(completed / change)了两个hour小时，movie电影finally终于to start开始(completed / change)了。
wait等了two两个hours小时，the film电影finally终于start开始了。
Recap
- finally终于 + Verb (+ (completed / change)了) = finally, at last, after a long wait or effort; the outcome may be welcome or not.
- finally终于 goes before the verb. For the last step in a sequence, use final最后.
Practise this pattern step by step.
almost几乎 (nearly, almost)
So close
- You ran for the bus and reached the stop just as the doors closed.
- I / me我almost几乎to keep up with赶上(completed / change)了bus公共汽车。 — "I almost caught the bus." It came very close but did not happen.
almost几乎 + Verb or Adjective
- almost几乎 = "almost, nearly": it goes before the verb, adjective or number phrase it limits.
- It often goes with all / both都 or each每: he / him他almost几乎every day每天all / both都to run跑步 — "He runs almost every day."
he他almost几乎every day每天(all)都run跑步。
Almost all, almost none
- With all所有 or all / both都: almost几乎all所有(modifier / structural particle)的student学生all / both都to come来(completed / change)了。 — "Almost all the students came."
- With not / haven't没 or not不: I / me我almost几乎not / haven't没to go to bed睡觉。 — "I hardly slept at all."
almost几乎all所有的students学生(all)都come来了。
Where almost几乎 goes
- Put almost几乎 before the part that is "almost": almost几乎every day每天, almost几乎not have / haven't没有, almost几乎all / both都. Not after the verb.
- With all / both都, almost几乎 comes first: we / us我们almost几乎all / both都去过, not we / us我们all / both都almost几乎去过.
almost几乎 versus about the same差不多
- about the same差不多 also means "about, almost", and is more common in speech: about the same差不多十点(completed / change)了.
- almost几乎 stresses how close something came, and suits not / haven't没 / not不: he / him他almost几乎not不to speak说话 — "He hardly says a word."
he他almost几乎not不speak说话。
Recap
- almost几乎 + Verb / Adj / number phrase = almost, nearly.
- almost几乎all / both都 / almost几乎all所有 = almost all; almost几乎not / haven't没 / almost几乎not不 = hardly at all.
Practise this pattern step by step.
only只 (only)
Just one bowl, please
- At a noodle shop your friend orders three dishes. You are not hungry.
- I / me我if only只要一碗noodles面条。 — "I only want a bowl of noodles."
Subject + only只 + Verb
- only只 = "only, just" and goes before the verb, even when "only" in English seems to belong to the object.
- I / me我only只to drink tea喝茶 — "I only drink tea." he / him他only只去过Beijing, capital of the…北京 — "He has only been to Beijing."
he他only只has been to去过Beijing北京。
Only a small amount
- With a number: I / me我only have ...只有十块钱。 — "I only have ten yuan."
- With a completed action: yesterday昨天I / me我only只to sleep睡(completed / change)了五个hour小时。 — "Yesterday I only slept five hours."
I我only只have有ten十yuan块money钱。
only只 never stands before the subject
- "Only I went" is only have ...只有I / me我to go去(completed / change)了, not only只I / me我to go去(completed / change)了: before a noun or the subject, use only have ...只有.
- Keep only只 before the verb, not after it: I / me我only只to shout喝(completed / change)了一杯, not I / me我to shout喝(completed / change)了only只一杯.
only只 versus only have ...只有
- only只 limits the action: I / me我只会variant of 说说erhua variant of 一点一点儿Chinese language中文 — "I can only speak a little Chinese."
- only have ...只有 limits a person or thing: only have ...只有she / her她to know知道answer答案。 — "Only she knows the answer."
only只有she她knows知道the answer答案。
Recap
- only只 + Verb = only, just; it stands before the verb.
- To make a noun or subject "only", use only have ...只有 + noun: only have ...只有I / me我, only have ...只有一个.
Practise this pattern step by step.
Duration + not / haven't没 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (how long you haven't …)
Three days without meat
- Your friend is on a vegetable diet and is starting to miss dumplings.
- I / me我三天没吃肉(completed / change)了。 — "I haven't eaten meat for three days."
Duration + not / haven't没 + Verb + (completed / change)了
- Subject + duration + not / haven't没 + Verb (+ object) + (completed / change)了 = has not done something for that length of time.
- The duration comes before not / haven't没, unlike a positive duration, which follows the verb.
I我three days三天not没eat吃meat肉了。
Counting the gap up to now
- we / us我们好久没to appear见(completed / change)了！ — "We haven't seen each other for ages!"
- he / him他两个week星期not / haven't没to come来to go to class上课(completed / change)了。 — "He hasn't come to class for two weeks."
we我们a long time好久not没see见了！
Two things that must stay
- Keep the final (completed / change)了 when the gap lasts up to now: I / me我三天没吃肉(completed / change)了 means it is still true today.
- Put the duration before not / haven't没: 三天没吃肉(completed / change)了, not 没吃肉三天(completed / change)了.
Positive duration goes after the verb
- Positive: 我学(completed / change)了两年Chinese language中文。 — "I studied Chinese for two years." The duration follows the verb.
- Negative gap: I / me我两年没说Chinese language中文(completed / change)了。 — "I haven't spoken Chinese for two years." The duration moves to the front.
I我two years两年not没speak说Chinese中文了。
Recap
- Duration + not / haven't没 + Verb + (completed / change)了 = haven't done it for that long (up to now).
- Negative gap: duration before not / haven't没. Positive duration: after the verb (学了两年).
Practise this pattern step by step.
Time + only then / not until才 (not until — lateness)
Not until midnight
- The party was supposed to end at ten. Your brother walked in at midnight.
- he / him他十二点only then / not until才to return home回家。 — "He didn't get home until twelve." only then / not until才 says it was later than expected.
Time + only then / not until才 + Verb
- Subject + time + only then / not until才 + Verb = not until that time; the speaker finds it late.
- The time word comes before only then / not until才, and only then / not until才 stands right before the verb.
he他twelve o'clock十二点not until才go home回家。
Late after a condition or a process
- After a long process: 我学(completed / change)了三年only then / not until才to dare敢variant of 说说Chinese language中文。 — "I studied for three years before I dared to speak Chinese."
- The time can be a clause: he / him他variant of 吃吃(completed / change)了medicine药only then / not until才to fall asleep睡着。 — "He only fell asleep after taking medicine."
I我study学了three years三年only then才dare敢speak说Chinese中文。
Read only then / not until才 and aspect in context
- The simple late-arrival model here is he / him他十二点only then / not until才to return home回家. Other contexts can allow (completed / change)了; do not treat only then / not until才 as a universal ban on aspect or change-of-state marking.
- The time word goes before only then / not until才: 九点only then / not until才to get out of bed起床, not only then / not until才九点to get out of bed起床 (that means "it's only nine").
The opposite: then / just就 for early
- he / him他六点then / just就to return home回家(completed / change)了。 — "He was home as early as six." then / just就 makes the time sound early, and (completed / change)了 is normal.
- The same clock time can take only then / not until才 or then / just就, depending on what was expected.
he他six o'clock六点already就go home回家了。
Recap
- Time + only then / not until才 + Verb = not until then; later than expected.
- The simple late-arrival model omits final (completed / change)了. Other only then / not until才 constructions can use aspectual or sentence-final (completed / change)了; choose from the whole message.
Practise this pattern step by step.
early先 … ，again / then再 … (first …, then …)
Instructions for a guest
- A friend is staying with you and asks how to use the washing machine.
- you你先放clothes衣服，again / then再to press按this这个push button按钮。 — "First put the clothes in, then press this button."
early先 + Verb 1，again / then再 + Verb 2
- early先 … again / then再 … = "first …, then …" for plans, suggestions and instructions.
- Both words are adverbs, so each goes before its verb, after the subject.
we我们first先eat吃饭，then再watch看a film电影吧。
Suggesting an order
- you你early先rest休息(used after a verb) give it…一下，again / then再做作业。 — "Rest a bit first, then do your homework."
- With then / after然后 between them for a longer list: early先to wash one's hands洗手，then / after然后to prepare a meal做饭，again / then再to have a meal吃饭。
you你first先rest休息a bit一下，then再do做homework作业。
Future plans, not past events
- again / then再 is for steps still to come. For what already happened, use early先 … then / after然后 / again又 …: 我先吃了饭，then / after然后to go去to see看movie电影(completed / change)了.
- Put early先 after the subject: I / me我early先to walk走, not early先I / me我to walk走.
early先…again / then再… versus early先…then / after然后…
- then / after然后 is a conjunction and can start the second clause on its own: early先to buy tickets买票，then / after然后to go in进去。
- early先…again / then再… stresses that the second step must wait for the first: you你先想good好，again / then再to reply回答。
you你first先think想it through好，then再answer回答。
Recap
- early先 A，again / then再 B = first A, then B, for plans and instructions.
- For past sequences, use early先 … then / after然后 / again又 … with (completed / change)了.
Practise this pattern step by step.
one side一边 … one side一边 … (doing two things at once)
Breakfast and the news
- Every morning your grandfather reads the paper while he drinks his tea.
- (coll.) father's father爷爷one side一边to drink tea喝茶one side一边to see看newspaper报纸。 — "Grandpa reads the paper while drinking tea."
one side一边 + Verb 1 + one side一边 + Verb 2
- Subject + one side一边 A + one side一边 B = do A and B at the same time. Each one side一边 goes before its own verb.
- Both actions belong to the same person, and both are activities that can last: to listen to听, to see看, to walk走, to chat聊, variant of 吃吃.
I我while一边listen to听music音乐(at the same time)一边do做homework作业。
Shorter suffix of a noun of locality边…suffix of a noun of locality边…
- With one-syllable verbs, speakers often shorten it: we / us我们suffix of a noun of locality边to walk走suffix of a noun of locality边to chat聊。 — "We chatted as we walked."
- It also describes the scene in a story: he / him他one side一边to cry哭one side一边variant of 说说 — "He spoke while crying."
we我们while边walk走(at the same time)边chat聊。
Actions, not states
- Use action verbs that can happen together; one side一边to be / is是student学生one side一边to be / is是teacher老师 is wrong. For two roles, use already既…again又… or also也.
- Keep one subject before the first one side一边: he / him他one side一边variant of 吃吃one side一边to see看, not one side一边he / him他variant of 吃吃one side一边to see看.
one side一边…one side一边… versus again又…again又…
- one side一边…one side一边… is two actions at the same moment: one side一边to sing唱one side一边to jump跳.
- again又…again又… describes two qualities or a lively scene: again又to sing唱again又to jump跳 — "singing and dancing (all over the place)."
the children孩子们both又sing唱and又dance跳。
Recap
- one side一边 A one side一边 B = doing A while doing B, same person, same time.
- Short form with one-syllable verbs: suffix of a noun of locality边to walk走suffix of a noun of locality边to chat聊. Use action verbs, not to be / is是 or other states.
Practise this pattern step by step.
always老是 (always — a complaint)
Not again!
- Your roommate leaves dirty dishes in the sink, and it is the third time this week.
- 你老to be / is是not不to wash the dishes洗碗！ — "You never wash the dishes!" (literally "you always don't wash them"). always老是 complains.
Subject + always老是 + Verb
- always老是 = "always, keep on (doing)" with annoyance. It goes before the verb, like always总是.
- It is spoken and emotional; you usually would not use it in a formal report.
he他keeps老是being late迟到。
Complaints and worries
- I / me我(modifier / structural particle)的computer电脑always老是variant of 出 (classifier…出question问题。 — "My computer keeps having problems."
- It can describe yourself: I / me我prefix used before the…老to be / is是to forget忘记带伞。 — "I keep forgetting to bring an umbrella."
my我的computer电脑keeps老是having出problems问题。
Tone and position
- Use always老是 for something irritating or worrying; for a neutral habit (he / him他always总是七点to get out of bed起床) choose always总是.
- always老是 goes before the verb (or before not不 / not / haven't没): 你老to be / is是not不to listen to听, not you你not不prefix used before the…老to be / is是to listen to听.
always老是 versus always总是
- always总是 reports a pattern: he / him他always总是坐地铁to go to work上班。 — "He always takes the subway to work."
- always老是 adds a complaint: he / him他prefix used before the…老to be / is是to sit坐to give right of way to…错车。 — "He keeps getting on the wrong train."
he他keeps老是take坐the wrong错train车。
Recap
- always老是 + Verb = keeps doing, always, with annoyance or worry.
- Spoken and emotional. For a neutral habit, use always总是.
Practise this pattern step by step.
only then / not until才 + Number (only — a small amount)
Only ten years old
- A boy at the piano competition plays better than adults, and everyone is surprised by his age.
- he / him他only then / not until才十岁，piano钢琴就弹(degree marker)得so much这么good好！ — "He's only ten, and he already plays the piano this well!"
only then / not until才 + Number
- only then / not until才 + number (+ measure word) = "only": the speaker finds the amount small. only then / not until才五块coin钱, only then / not until才两个person人.
- Before a verb with a number, only then / not until才 goes before the verb: I / me我only then / not until才to shout喝(completed / change)了一杯 — "I've only had one glass."
this这(measure word)件clothes衣服only才fifty五十yuan块。
Small amounts, early times
- I / me我talent and learning才学(completed / change)了三个moon月Chinese language中文。 — "I've only studied Chinese for three months."
- With a clock time it means "it's only …": now现在only then / not until才七点，again / then再to sleep睡a moment一会儿(suggestion)吧。 — "It's only seven; sleep a little longer."
now现在only才seven o'clock七点，a little more再sleep睡a while一会儿吧。
Which only then / not until才 is it?
- only then / not until才 before the number = "only that much": only then / not until才九点 — "it's only nine".
- only then / not until才 after the time, before the verb = "not until": 九点only then / not until才to get out of bed起床 — "didn't get up until nine". Same word, different position.
only then / not until才 versus only只
- only只 limits an amount neutrally: I / me我only have ...只有十块钱.
- only then / not until才 adds the speaker's surprise that the amount is small: he / him他only then / not until才十岁 — "He's only ten (so young!)."
I我only只have有ten十yuan块money钱。
Recap
- only then / not until才 + number = only, and less than expected: only then / not until才十岁, only then / not until才五块coin钱.
- only then / not until才 + number = only; time + only then / not until才 + verb = not until. only只 is the neutral "only".
Practise this pattern step by step.
Practice without the models
again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (again, in the past)
0201.1 Complete: “My phone is broken again.” I / me我(modifier / structural particle)的cell phone手机…………bad坏(completed / change)了。
0201.2 Which says “He came again yesterday.”?
- A. he / him他yesterday昨天again又to come来(completed / change)了。
- B. he / him他yesterday昨天again / then再to come来(completed / change)了。
- C. yesterday昨天他来(completed / change)了again又。
- D. he / him他again又yesterday昨天to come来(completed / change)了。
0201.3 Build: “She bought another pair of shoes.”
Arrange all chunks: 一双variant of 鞋鞋。 / again又 / to buy买(completed / change)了 / she / her她
0201.4 tomorrow明天again又to be / is是Monday星期一(completed / change)了 is correct, even though it is about tomorrow.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0201.5 Your classmate arrived late on Monday, and on Tuesday the teacher sighs when the door opens at 8:20. 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.
all along一直 (all along, continuously)
0202.1 Complete: “He has been busy the whole time.” he / him他…………degree / adjective linker很busy忙。
0202.2 “She goes to the gym every Monday and Friday.” Which adverb fits best?
- A. only then / not until才
- B. often经常
- C. all along一直
- D. again又
0202.3 Build: “I have always wanted to go to China.”
Arrange all chunks: all along一直 / to go去China中国。 / want / think / miss想 / I / me我
0202.4 In directions, all along一直to walk走 means “keep turning”.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0202.5 You look out of the window at 6 p.m. The rain started in the morning and has not stopped once. 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总是 (always – a habit)
0203.1 Complete: “She always walks to school.” she / her她…………to walk走路to go去school学校。
0203.2 Which says “He never eats meat.”?
- A. he / him他all along一直variant of 吃吃meat肉。
- B. he / him他always总是variant of 吃吃meat肉。
- C. he / him他variant of 吃吃meat肉always总是not不。
- D. he / him他never从来不variant of 吃吃meat肉。
0203.3 Match each sentence to what it expresses.
-
- he / him他always总是七点to get out of bed起床。
-
- 你老to be / is是to arrive late迟到！
-
- (literary) to rain雨all along一直at / in在down下。
-
A. a complaint about a habit
-
B. a neutral habit
-
C. one continuous stretch of time
0203.4 Build: “At weekends he always goes hiking.”
Arrange all chunks: weekend周末 / to go去to climb a mountain爬山。 / he / him他 / always总是
0203.5 Your father starts every day the same way, whatever the weather. 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.
finally终于 (finally, at last)
0204.1 Complete: “After a week of rain, the sun has finally come out.” down下(completed / change)了一个week星期(modifier / structural particle)的(literary) to rain雨，sun太阳…………(after a verb, indicates…出来(completed / change)了。
0204.2 “First we went to the museum, and lastly we went shopping.” Which word fills the gap? we / us我们early先to go去(completed / change)了museum博物馆，____to go去to buy买thing东西。
- A. again又
- B. finally终于
- C. all along一直
- D. final最后
0204.3 Build: “I finally found my keys.”
Arrange all chunks: I / me我(modifier / structural particle)的key钥匙。 / finally终于 / I / me我 / to find找到(completed / change)了
0204.4 finally终于 can only introduce good news.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0204.5 The train was delayed and you have been waiting on the platform since six. At eight it pulls in. 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.
almost几乎 (nearly, almost)
0205.1 Complete: “She goes to the library almost every day.” she / her她…………every day每天all / both都to go去library图书馆。
0205.2 Which says “We have almost all been there.”?
- A. we / us我们去过almost几乎all / both都。
- B. we / us我们all / both都almost几乎去过。
- C. we / us我们almost几乎all / both都去过。
- D. almost几乎we / us我们去过all / both都。
0205.3 I / me我almost几乎not / haven't没to go to bed睡觉 means “I hardly slept at all.”
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0205.4 Build: “Almost all the students came.”
Arrange all chunks: all / both都 / almost几乎 / all所有(modifier / structural particle)的student学生 / to come来(completed / change)了。
0205.5 You ran for the bus and reached the stop just as the doors closed. 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.
only只 (only)
0206.1 Complete: “I only drink green tea.” I / me我…………to shout喝green tea绿茶。
0206.2 Which says “Only Xiao Wang came.”?
- A. 只小王to come来(completed / change)了。
- B. 小王only只to come来(completed / change)了。
- C. 小王来(completed / change)了only只。
- D. only have ...只有小王来(completed / change)了。
0206.3 Build: “Yesterday I only slept five hours.”
Arrange all chunks: yesterday昨天 / only只 / to sleep睡(completed / change)了五个hour小时。 / I / me我
0206.4 I / me我to shout喝(completed / change)了only只一杯coffee (loanword)咖啡 is correct.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0206.5 At a noodle shop your friend orders three dishes. You are not hungry. 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.
Duration + not / haven't没 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (how long you haven't …)
0207.1 Complete: “I haven't phoned home for a week.” I / me我一个week星期not / haven't没to / for / give给home家里to make a telephone call打电话…………。
0207.2 Which says “He hasn't slept for two days.”?
- A. he / him他not / haven't没两天to go to bed睡觉。
- B. he / him他not / haven't没to go to bed睡觉两天(completed / change)了。
- C. he / him他to go to bed睡觉两天not / haven't没(completed / change)了。
- D. he / him他两天not / haven't没to go to bed睡觉(completed / change)了。
0207.3 Build: “We haven't seen each other for ages!”
Arrange all chunks: we / us我们 / quite a while好久 / (completed / change)了！ / not / haven't没to appear见
0207.4 In 我学(completed / change)了两年Chinese language中文, the duration comes after the verb because the sentence is positive.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0207.5 Your friend is on a vegetable diet and is starting to miss dumplings. 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.
Time + only then / not until才 (not until – lateness)
0208.1 Complete: “The film didn't start until nine.” movie电影九点…………to start开始。
0208.2 Which sentence is correct?
- A. he / him他only then / not until才十一点to go to bed睡觉。
- B. he / him他十一点to sleep睡only then / not until才to feel觉(completed / change)了。
- C. he / him他十一点only then / not until才to go to bed睡觉。
- D. he / him他十一点to go to bed睡觉only then / not until才。
0208.3 Build: “He only fell asleep after taking medicine.”
Arrange all chunks: he / him他 / only then / not until才 / variant of 吃吃(completed / change)了medicine药 / to fall asleep睡着。
0208.4 he / him他六点then / just就to return home回家(completed / change)了 and he / him他六点only then / not until才to return home回家 give opposite impressions of the same time.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0208.5 The party was supposed to end at ten. Your brother walked in at midnight. 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.
early先 … ，again / then再 … (first …, then …)
0209.1 Complete the plan: “Let's buy tickets first, then go in.” we / us我们early先to buy tickets买票，…………to go in进去。
0209.2 Which describes what you did yesterday?
- A. early先I / me我yesterday昨天to go去bank银行，again / then再to go去supermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市。
- B. I / me我yesterday昨天early先to go去bank银行，again / then再to go去supermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市(completed / change)了。
- C. I / me我yesterday昨天again / then再to go去bank银行，early先to go去supermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市。
- D. I / me我yesterday昨天early先to go去(completed / change)了bank银行，then / after然后to go去(completed / change)了supermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市。
0209.3 Build: “Rest a bit first, then do your homework.”
Arrange all chunks: you你early先 / ，again / then再 / 做作业。 / rest休息(used after a verb) give it…一下
0209.4 early先I / me我to walk走 is the normal way to say “I'll go first.”
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0209.5 A friend is staying with you and asks how to use the washing machine. 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.
one side一边 … one side一边 … (doing two things at once)
0210.1 Complete: “She sings while she cooks.” she / her她…………to prepare a meal做饭one side一边to sing a song唱歌。
0210.2 Which sentence is correct?
- A. he / him他one side一边to have a meal吃饭one side一边to see看cell phone手机。
- B. he / him他one side一边to be / is是doctor医生one side一边to be / is是teacher老师。
- C. one side一边he / him他to have a meal吃饭one side一边to see看cell phone手机。
- D. he / him他to have a meal吃饭one side一边to see看cell phone手机one side一边。
0210.3 Build: “We chatted as we walked.”
Arrange all chunks: we / us我们 / 边聊。 / suffix of a noun of locality边to walk走
0210.4 one side一边…one side一边… and again又…again又… are always interchangeable.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0210.5 Every morning your grandfather reads the paper while he drinks his tea. 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老是 (always – a complaint)
0211.1 Complain: “You keep playing on your phone!” you你…………Taiwan pr.玩cell phone手机！
0211.2 A news report says the factory opens at eight every day. Which adverb suits the neutral report?
- A. always老是
- B. only then / not until才
- C. again又
- D. always总是
0211.3 Build: “I keep forgetting to bring an umbrella.”
Arrange all chunks: I / me我 / always老是 / 带伞。 / to forget忘记
0211.4 you你not不prefix used before the…老to be / is是to listen to听 is the right way to say “You never listen.”
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0211.5 Your roommate leaves dirty dishes in the sink, and it is the third time this week. 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.
only then / not until才 + Number (only – a small amount)
0212.1 Complete with surprise: “This bag is only twenty yuan!” this这个to cover包…………二十块！
0212.2 Match each sentence to its meaning.
-
- now现在only then / not until才九点。
-
- he / him他九点only then / not until才to get out of bed起床。
-
- I / me我only then / not until才to shout喝(completed / change)了一杯。
-
A. He didn't get up until nine.
-
B. It's only nine o'clock.
-
C. I've only had one glass.
0212.3 Build: “I've only studied Chinese for three months.”
Arrange all chunks: 三个moon月Chinese language中文。 / 学了 / only then / not until才 / I / me我
0212.4 he / him他only then / not until才十岁 sounds more surprised than he / him他十岁.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
0212.5 A boy at the piano competition plays better than adults, and everyone is surprised by his age. 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.
Answers and explanations
again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (again, in the past)
0201.1 again又
The breakage has already happened again, so again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了.
0201.2 A. he / him他yesterday昨天again又to come来(completed / change)了。
Subject + time + again又 + verb + (completed / change)了.
0201.3 she / her她again又to buy买(completed / change)了一双variant of 鞋鞋。
Subject + again又 + Verb + (completed / change)了 + object.
0201.4 True.
again又 can describe a repetition that is certain to come, such as the days of the week.
0201.5 One possible response: he / him他again又to arrive late迟到(completed / change)了。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- For something that has already happened again, use again又: he / him他again又to come来(completed / change)了, not he / him他again / then再to come来(completed / change)了.
- again又 stands before the verb, after the subject and any time word: he / him他yesterday昨天again又to arrive late迟到(completed / change)了.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
all along一直 (all along, continuously)
0202.1 all along一直
all along一直 + Adj = continuously in that state.
0202.2 B. often经常
Repeated visits are frequent, not continuous, so often经常 (or always总是) fits; all along一直 means without a break.
0202.3 I / me我all along一直want / think / miss想to go去China中国。
Subject + all along一直 + want / think / miss想 + verb phrase.
0202.4 False.
all along一直to walk走 means “go straight (ahead)”.
0202.5 One possible response: today今天all along一直at / in在to rain下雨。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- all along一直 means without interruption; for something done again and again, use always总是 or often经常.
- Put all along一直 before the verb, not at the end of the sentence: he / him他all along一直at / in在to work工作, not he / him他at / in在to work工作all along一直.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
always总是 (always – a habit)
0203.1 always总是
A habit takes always总是 before the verb.
0203.2 D. he / him他never从来不variant of 吃吃meat肉。
“Never” as a habit is never从来不 + verb.
0203.3 1–B: he / him他always总是七点to get out of bed起床。 = a neutral habit; 2–A: 你老to be / is是to arrive late迟到！ = a complaint about a habit; 3–C: (literary) to rain雨all along一直at / in在down下。 = one continuous stretch of time
always总是 states a habit, always老是 complains about it, all along一直 describes something unbroken.
0203.4 he / him他weekend周末always总是to go去to climb a mountain爬山。
Subject + time word + always总是 + verb phrase.
0203.5 One possible response: (coll.) father爸爸early morning早上always总是early先喝一杯coffee (loanword)咖啡。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- always总是 goes before the verb, never at the end: he / him他always总是to arrive late迟到, not he / him他to arrive late迟到always总是.
- "Never" is not always总是not不 in most cases; use never从来不: he / him他never从来不to drink (alcohol)喝酒 – "He never drinks."
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
finally终于 (finally, at last)
0204.1 finally终于
A long wait ends, so finally终于 + verb + (completed / change)了.
0204.2 D. final最后
final最后 marks the last step in a sequence; there is no long wait here.
0204.3 I / me我finally终于to find找到(completed / change)了I / me我(modifier / structural particle)的key钥匙。
Subject + finally终于 + Verb + (completed / change)了 + object.
0204.4 False.
It reports any outcome reached after a long process, e.g. he / him他finally终于to fall ill病倒(completed / change)了.
0204.5 One possible response: train火车finally终于to come来(completed / change)了！
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- It needs a long wait or process before it; it does not mean "at the end of a list". For "lastly", use final最后.
- Put finally终于 after the subject, before the verb: he / him他finally终于to come来(completed / change)了, not finally终于他来(completed / change)了 in ordinary speech.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
almost几乎 (nearly, almost)
0205.1 almost几乎
almost几乎 + every day每天all / both都 = almost every day.
0205.2 C. we / us我们almost几乎all / both都去过。
almost几乎 comes before all / both都.
0205.3 True.
almost几乎 + not / haven't没 = almost not, i.e. hardly.
0205.4 almost几乎all所有(modifier / structural particle)的student学生all / both都to come来(completed / change)了。
almost几乎 + all所有(modifier / structural particle)的 + noun + all / both都 + verb.
0205.5 One possible response: I / me我almost几乎to keep up with赶上(completed / change)了bus公共汽车。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Put almost几乎 before the part that is "almost": almost几乎every day每天, almost几乎not have / haven't没有, almost几乎all / both都. Not after the verb.
- With all / both都, almost几乎 comes first: we / us我们almost几乎all / both都去过, not we / us我们all / both都almost几乎去过.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
only只 (only)
0206.1 only只
only只 goes before the verb to shout喝.
0206.2 D. only have ...只有小王来(completed / change)了。
To limit a person, use only have ...只有 + noun. 小王only只to come来(completed / change)了 would mean he only came (and did nothing else).
0206.3 yesterday昨天I / me我only只to sleep睡(completed / change)了五个hour小时。
Time + subject + only只 + verb + (completed / change)了 + duration.
0206.4 False.
only只 goes before the verb: I / me我only只to shout喝(completed / change)了一杯coffee (loanword)咖啡.
0206.5 One possible response: I / me我if only只要一碗noodles面条。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- "Only I went" is only have ...只有I / me我to go去(completed / change)了, not only只I / me我to go去(completed / change)了: before a noun or the subject, use only have ...只有.
- Keep only只 before the verb, not after it: I / me我only只to shout喝(completed / change)了一杯, not I / me我to shout喝(completed / change)了only只一杯.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
Duration + not / haven't没 + Verb + (completed / change)了 (how long you haven't …)
0207.1 (completed / change)了
The final (completed / change)了 shows the gap lasts until now.
0207.2 D. he / him他两天not / haven't没to go to bed睡觉(completed / change)了。
Duration + not / haven't没 + verb + (completed / change)了.
0207.3 we / us我们好久没to appear见(completed / change)了！
Subject + duration + not / haven't没 + verb + (completed / change)了.
0207.4 True.
A positive duration follows the verb; a negative gap puts the duration before not / haven't没.
0207.5 One possible response: I / me我三天没吃肉(completed / change)了。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Keep the final (completed / change)了 when the gap lasts up to now: I / me我三天没吃肉(completed / change)了 means it is still true today.
- Put the duration before not / haven't没: 三天没吃肉(completed / change)了, not 没吃肉三天(completed / change)了.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
Time + only then / not until才 (not until – lateness)
0208.1 only then / not until才
Time + only then / not until才 + Verb presents the start as later than expected.
0208.2 C. he / him他十一点only then / not until才to go to bed睡觉。
Time precedes only then / not until才, which precedes the verb in this simple model. Other constructions with only then / not until才 can allow (completed / change)了.
0208.3 he / him他variant of 吃吃(completed / change)了medicine药only then / not until才to fall asleep睡着。
Condition + only then / not until才 + result.
0208.4 True.
then / just就 presents six as early; only then / not until才 presents it as late.
0208.5 One possible response: he / him他十二点only then / not until才to return home回家。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- The simple late-arrival model here is he / him他十二点only then / not until才to return home回家. Other contexts can allow (completed / change)了; do not treat only then / not until才 as a universal ban on aspect or change-of-state marking.
- The time word goes before only then / not until才: 九点only then / not until才to get out of bed起床, not only then / not until才九点to get out of bed起床 (that means "it's only nine").
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
early先 … ，again / then再 … (first …, then …)
0209.1 again / then再
early先 … again / then再 … orders future steps.
0209.2 D. I / me我yesterday昨天early先to go去(completed / change)了bank银行，then / after然后to go去(completed / change)了supermarket (abbr. for 超级市场)超市。
For past events use early先 … then / after然后 … with (completed / change)了; again / then再 is for steps still to come.
0209.3 you你early先rest休息(used after a verb) give it…一下，again / then再做作业。
early先 + verb 1, again / then再 + verb 2.
0209.4 False.
early先 goes after the subject: I / me我early先to walk走.
0209.5 One possible response: you你先放clothes衣服，again / then再to press按this这个push button按钮。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- again / then再 is for steps still to come. For what already happened, use early先 … then / after然后 / again又 …: 我先吃了饭，then / after然后to go去to see看movie电影(completed / change)了.
- Put early先 after the subject: I / me我early先to walk走, not early先I / me我to walk走.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
one side一边 … one side一边 … (doing two things at once)
0210.1 one side一边
one side一边 A one side一边 B – the first one side一边 goes before to prepare a meal做饭.
0210.2 A. he / him他one side一边to have a meal吃饭one side一边to see看cell phone手机。
Subject + one side一边 action + one side一边 action. to be / is是 is not an action that can run alongside another.
0210.3 we / us我们suffix of a noun of locality边to walk走suffix of a noun of locality边to chat聊。
The short form suffix of a noun of locality边…suffix of a noun of locality边… fits one-syllable verbs.
0210.4 False.
one side一边…one side一边… joins two simultaneous actions; again又…again又… usually joins two qualities.
0210.5 One possible response: (coll.) father's father爷爷one side一边to drink tea喝茶one side一边to see看newspaper报纸。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Use action verbs that can happen together; one side一边to be / is是student学生one side一边to be / is是teacher老师 is wrong. For two roles, use already既…again又… or also也.
- Keep one subject before the first one side一边: he / him他one side一边variant of 吃吃one side一边to see看, not one side一边he / him他variant of 吃吃one side一边to see看.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
always老是 (always – a complaint)
0211.1 always老是
always老是 + verb for an irritating habit.
0211.2 D. always总是
always总是 states a neutral habit; always老是 would sound like a complaint.
0211.3 I / me我prefix used before the…老to be / is是to forget忘记带伞。
Subject + always老是 + verb phrase.
0211.4 False.
always老是 comes before not不: 你老to be / is是not不to listen to听.
0211.5 One possible response: 你老to be / is是not不to wash the dishes洗碗！
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Use always老是 for something irritating or worrying; for a neutral habit (he / him他always总是七点to get out of bed起床) choose always总是.
- always老是 goes before the verb (or before not不 / not / haven't没): 你老to be / is是not不to listen to听, not you你not不prefix used before the…老to be / is是to listen to听.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
only then / not until才 + Number (only – a small amount)
0212.1 only then / not until才
only then / not until才 + number shows the amount is smaller than expected.
0212.2 1–B: now现在only then / not until才九点。 = It's only nine o'clock.; 2–A: he / him他九点only then / not until才to get out of bed起床。 = He didn't get up until nine.; 3–C: I / me我only then / not until才to shout喝(completed / change)了一杯。 = I've only had one glass.
Before a number, only then / not until才 means “only”; after a time and before the verb, it means “not until”.
0212.3 I / me我talent and learning才学(completed / change)了三个moon月Chinese language中文。
only then / not until才 goes before the verb that carries the small amount.
0212.4 True.
only then / not until才 adds the feeling that the age is surprisingly young.
0212.5 One possible response: he / him他only then / not until才十岁，piano钢琴就弹(degree marker)得so much这么good好！
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- only then / not until才 before the number = "only that much": only then / not until才九点 – "it's only nine".
- only then / not until才 after the time, before the verb = "not until": 九点only then / not until才to get out of bed起床 – "didn't get up until nine". Same word, different position.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.