Verb + 下去 (keep …-ing)
IntroducedAn unfinished explanation should continue
- A speaker pauses before finishing a story, and you ask for the rest.
- please请speak说carry on下去。 — carry on下去 asks the already started speaking to continue.
A speaker pauses before finishing a story, and you ask for the rest. What does 请说下去。 communicate?
下去 asks the already started speaking to continue. 说下去 is a continuation use; 走下去 can describe physical movement downwards in another context. The complement's meaning depends on the verb and scene.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is Verb + carry on下去 (keep …-ing). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
please请speak说carry on下去。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Keep talking: 请说 ____。
Verb + 下去 = carry on: 说下去 (keep talking).
Read examples in context
definitely一定must要persist坚持keep on下去！
- In the opening example, please请speak说carry on下去。: carry on下去 asks the already started speaking to continue.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 下去 add to a verb?
下去 = continue an action already underway: 坚持下去.
Build: “Please keep talking.”
Verb + 下去: 请 + 说 + 下去.
Know the boundary
- speak说carry on下去 is a continuation use; to walk走carry on下去 can describe physical movement downwards in another context.
- The complement's meaning depends on the verb and scene.
坚持下去 means “give up”.
坚持下去 = keep persisting / don't give up.
In the opening situation: 下去 asks the already started speaking to continue.
说下去 is a continuation use; 走下去 can describe physical movement downwards in another context. The complement's meaning depends on the verb and scene. 下去 asks the already started speaking to continue.
Use the distinction
- carry on下去 asks the already started speaking to continue.
- speak说carry on下去 is a continuation use; to walk走carry on下去 can describe physical movement downwards in another context. The complement's meaning depends on the verb and scene.
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Complements.
A speaker pauses before finishing a story, and you ask for the rest. 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.
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.