Chinese Grammar Core Course — Unit 18
Unit 18
Serial verbs and purpose
Several verbs can share one subject without extra “to” or “and”: go somewhere, then do something. Keep the actions in their real-world order.
Use connectors to state the relationship between ideas instead of relying only on intonation. Particles then adjust how direct, shared, or tentative the utterance sounds.
Do not translate word by word. First identify the main verb, then attach time, place, negation, or aspect in the order shown by the pattern.
Pattern to hear
因为下雨，所以没去。
Meaning in context: Because it rained, I did not go.
How to use it
Several verbs can share one subject without extra “to” or “and”: go somewhere, then do something. Keep the actions in their real-world order.
我去商店买水果。
Use connectors to state the relationship between ideas instead of relying only on intonation. Particles then adjust how direct, shared, or tentative the utterance sounds.
Do not translate word by word. First identify the main verb, then attach time, place, negation, or aspect in the order shown by the pattern.
Self-check
- How to use it
- Say the logical relation before adding a particle. A connector should make cause, contrast, or condition recoverable on the page.
- Build it yourself
- Link six short facts into two spoken explanations and soften one request with a particle or reduplication.
- Self-check
- Can a listener identify the relation without relying on your intonation?
Contrast and decision
For English speakers, the main adjustment is not basic SVO order but keeping time, place, aspect markers, and complements in their Chinese positions.
What to notice: Serial verbs and purpose
More examples to read aloud
- 虽然很累，但是很开心。
- 如果有空，就来。
- 不但便宜，而且好吃。
Read the pattern, cover the translation, and rebuild the sentence from its meaning. Return to the detailed articles for exceptions and nuance.
Build it yourself
Describe a trip made for a purpose and how you travel to work.
连续说出移动和目的动作。
Check the answer only after you have said or written your version.
Self-check
Model and reason
Several verbs can share one subject without extra “to” or “and”: go somewhere, then do something. Keep the actions in their real-world order.
他来中国学习中文。
Read the pattern, cover the translation, and rebuild the sentence from its meaning. Return to the detailed articles for exceptions and nuance.