Difference between revisions of "Advanced "le" after an object"
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== Usage of Double 了 == | == Usage of Double 了 == | ||
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+ | In this case, 了 follows both the verb ''and'' the object. | ||
=== Emphasizing "big quantity" === | === Emphasizing "big quantity" === |
Revision as of 08:32, 17 November 2020
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You may have learned that 了 (le) follows immediately after a verb to indicate completion (AKA 了1), and comes at the end of a sentence when it indicates a "change of state" (AKA 了2). But what's the explanation for how it frequently follows not the verb, but the object after the verb? That's what this grammar point is about: bringing a bit more depth to your understanding of expressing completion with "le".
Contents
Two Possible Structures
Both of these basic structures are possible (and correct), even when 了 is only indicating completion.
Subj. + Verb + 了 + Obj.
Subj. + Verb + Obj. + 了
If it's a rather short and simple sentence, putting 了 directly after the verb, while not technically incorrect, can make the sentence feel incomplete. For example:
- 我 上 了 课 。 I took the class....
- 老师 问 了 问题。The teacher asked questions....
So what are the rules for when to put 了 directly after verb, and when to put it after the object? That is the point of this article.
了 After a Verb with an Object
Structure
Subj. + Verb + 了 + Obj.
When the following conditions are met, 了 is typically placed before the object, which completes the sentence and gives it a tone of completion.
Examples Specifying the Object
When the object has modifiers, such as an indication of quantity or an adjective, it's not weird to put 了 immediately after the verb.
- 他 买 了 一辆 车 。He bought a car.
- 妈妈 做 了 很 多 菜 。Mom made many dishes.
- 我们 吃 了 印度菜 。We ate Indian food.
- 她 穿 了 最 漂亮 的 裙子 。She wore the most beautiful dress.
Specifying the Time, Place, Purpose, etc.
When time, place, manner, or purpose are specified in a sentence, 了 can be used immediately after the verb to indicate completion.
- 我 昨天 看 了 电影 。I saw a movie yesterday.
- 我 和 同事 一起 吃 了 饭 。I had dinner together with my colleagues.
- 我们 在 动物园 和 熊猫 拍 了 照 。We took photos with pandas in the zoo.
- 他 女朋友 为了 他 辞 了 工作 。His girlfriend quit her job for him.
- 他们 顺利 地 到 了 南极 。They arrived at the South Pole without incident.
Used as An Answer to A Question
As part of a conversation, 了 can be used immediately after a verb as part of a simple answer. Within the context of the conversation, it is sufficient and not strange.
- A:你 带 电脑 了 吗?Did you bring your computer?
- B:我 带 了 电脑 。Yes, I brought it.
Completion in the Future
了 (le) can also indicate that one action is completed before another in the future, and this type of 了 is often placed directly after a verb with an object.
- 你 到 了 家 给 我 打 电话 。future actionAfter you have arrived home, call me.
- 我 下 了 课 去 找 你 。future actionI will go find you after I get out of class.
- 她 想 毕 了 业 就 结婚 。future actionShe wants to get married after she graduates.
- 我 打算 生 了 孩子 就 回去 工作 。future actionI plan to go back to work after having the baby.
Do Not Need “了” to Indicate Completion of an Action or Situation 不需要“了”表完成的情况
Cannot use together with a psychological verb. 不能和“心理动词”连用。
Can be used together in the middle of a sentence with “以前”. 句中有“以前”连用。
“了” cannot be used together with “会” to indicate future completion of an action. “了”不能和“会”连用表示将来完成。
When a verb is just an attributive of an adverbial attributive of a specific or certain time, “了” is generally not added. 动词只是做某个时间状语的定语时,一般不加“了”。
我刚来了中国的时候,不会说中文。 我上大学了的时候,认识了我女朋友。
Putting 了 After Consecutive Actions
In a list of consecutive actions, the position of 了 serves to signal the purpose of the events. This is normally the final verb in the sequence.
- 他 坐 高铁 去 了 广州 。He took the high-speed train and went to Guangzhou.
- 我 的 一个 男 同事 帮 我 搬 了 家 。A male coworker helped me move.
- 老板 请 我们 吃 了 一 顿 大餐 。My boss invited me to eat a big dinner.
- 他 站起来 ,走过去 ,打 了 他 一下 。He stood up, walked over, and hit him.
Usage of Double 了
In this case, 了 follows both the verb and the object.
Emphasizing "big quantity"
If another 了 is added at the end of the sentence, implies that the number in front of the object is already a big number, and that this number could continue to grow.
- 他们 生 了 四 个 孩子 了 。They've had four children already.
- 你 吃 了 五 个 包子 了 。You've eaten five baozi already.
- 她 一年 换 了 三 个 工作 了。She had three different jobs within one year.
Giving a tone of strong confirmation
If there is another 了 placed at the end of the sentence, it can add a stronger emphasis that the action was already completed, in the same way we might say we "did finish the work" or "already finished the work" instead of just saying we "finished the work."
- 我 做 了 作业 了 ,你 要 检查 吗 ?I already finished my homework. Do you want to check it?
- 不用 给 我们 盛饭 ,我们 吃 了 饭 了 。You don't need to serve us rice. We've already eaten.
- 他 问 了 经理 了 ,经理 说 行 。He already asked the manager, and the manager said yes.