Difference between revisions of "Expressing ability or possibility with "neng""

Revision as of 06:51, 15 August 2011

The verb 能 is used to express either ability or possibility. The structure is:

Subject + 能 + Verb + Object

能 is the most versatile of the verbs 会, 可以 and 能. It can express all meanings of the English "can". The only thing it can't be used for is denying permission.

Some examples:

你能不能给我那本书？
我不能游泳。
我能买吗？

Sources and further reading

Sinosplice: Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram

Revision as of 02:35, 15 August 2011 (view source) Xiuyuan (talk \| contribs) (Created page with "The verb 能 is used to express either ''ability'' or ''possibility''. The structure is: <div class="jiegou"> Subject + 能 + Verb + Object </div> 能 is the most versatile o...")		Revision as of 06:51, 15 August 2011 (view source) Xiuyuan (talk \| contribs) Newer edit →
Line 22:		Line 22:

	* Sinosplice: [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram]		* Sinosplice: [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram]
		+
		+	[[Category:A1 grammar points]]