Verb phrase

Also known as: 动词短语 (dòngcí duǎnyǔ).

In Mandarin Chinese, the Verb-Object phrase is one of the easiest sentences to use for English speaking people, since this is the structure that is most similar to English sentences. The V-O sentence has some distinctive features.

• The order of constituents of a V-O phrase is fixed: the verb precedes the object. • The first constituent of a V-O phrase is a transitive verb indicating an action or behavior, while the second refers to the person or things affected by the action. • No function word is used between the verb and its object. • Normally the stress of a V-O phase falls on the object in pronunciation.

The V-O phrase can both serve as subject, object, attributive, adverbial adjunct and complement of degree.