Difference between revisions of "Auxiliary verb"

Revision as of 09:41, 22 July 2011

Also known as "modal verbs"

Express capability, possibility, necessity, obligation or willingness.

Can indicate intention, possibility or necessity
- Differing strength levels within these categories (e.g. 必须 vs 应该)
- Modal verbs of strong obligation (必须, 比得) can't form positive-negative questions
In sentences with an auxiliary verb, the auxiliary verb is negated, not the main verb.
To respond to questions with an auxiliary verb, the auxiliary verb is used, not the main verb. E.g. 你想不想来？想.
Auxiliary verbs can't be reduplicated.
Aspect particles 了, 着, 过 can't be used with auxiliary verbs.
Auxiliary verbs must take a verb as an object, not a noun.
Most important auxiliary verbs:
- 要
- 会
- 想
- 应该
- 该
- 必须
- 得 (děi)
How to say 'can' in different contexts (能, 会 and 可以)

外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照) (pp. 41 - 47)
Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 81 to 89)
简明汉语语法学习手册 (Chinese Grammar Without Tears) (pp. 239 - 250)
Practicing HSK Grammar (pp. 141 - 151) [needs Amazon code]
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 69 - 75)

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 == Potential articles / sections ==
 * Can indicate intention, possibility or necessity
-** Differing strength levels within these categories (e.g. 必须 vs 应该）
+** Differing strength levels within these categories (e.g. 必须 vs 应该)
+** Modal verbs of strong obligation (必须, 比得) can't form positive-negative questions
 * In sentences with an auxiliary verb, the auxiliary verb is negated, not the main verb.
 * To respond to questions with an auxiliary verb, the auxiliary verb is used, not the main verb. E.g. 你想不想来？ 想.