Repeated actions in the past with "you"

Structure

Similarly, we can express extra repetition in the past with another structure with 又. Here we repeat the verb used and place 又 in the middle. The repetition of the verb emphasizes how the action is being repeated again and again. Note that 了 must be placed before the first 又.

Subj. + Verb + 了 + 又 + Verb

Examples

• 这 个 人 我 看 了又 看 ，还是 觉得 我 不 认识 他。Zhège rén wǒ kàn le yòu kàn, háishì juéde wǒ bù rènshi tā. I looked at him again and again, but I still think I don't know him.
• 我 想 了又 想，还是 觉得 不 能 这样 做 。Wǒ xiǎng le yòu xiǎng, háishì juéde bù néng zhèyàng zuò. I thought it over again and again, I think I can't do it like this.
• 他 找了又 找，还 是 没 找 到 他 的 钱 包。Tā zhǎo le yòu zhǎo, háishì méi zhǎo dào tā de qiánbāo He searched again and again, and still couldn't find his wallet.
• 他 想了又 想 ，还是 不 同意。Tā xiǎng le yòu xiǎng, háishì bù tóngyì.He thought it over again and again, and he still disagree.
• 我们 问 了 又 问，她 就是 不 说。Wǒmen wèn le yòu wèn, tā jiùshì bù shuō.We asked again and again, but she wouldn't say it.
• 他 试 了 又 试，就是 打 不 开 门。Tā shì le yòu shì, jiùshì dǎ bù kāi mén.He tried again and again, but he still couldn't open the door.
• 这 个 方案 改了又 改，终于 通过 了。Zhè ge fāng'àn gǎi le yòu gǎi, zhōngyú tōngguò le.This plan was changed again and again, and finally it passed.

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5