Difference between revisions of "The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose"

Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
{{Stub}}
 
  
 
There are many ways to explain why you are doing something or what's the use of things. This article will explain another way to do that, and it just happens to involve "是⋯⋯的." This isn't to say that you can't make these sentences without using "是" and "的" but this can help emphasize why you are doing something or what's the use of thing, giving your sentence a little more kick.
 
There are many ways to explain why you are doing something or what's the use of things. This article will explain another way to do that, and it just happens to involve "是⋯⋯的." This isn't to say that you can't make these sentences without using "是" and "的" but this can help emphasize why you are doing something or what's the use of thing, giving your sentence a little more kick.
Line 35: Line 34:
 
Thing + 是 + 用来 + [Verb Phrase] + 的
 
Thing + 是 + 用来 + [Verb Phrase] + 的
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
or
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Line 52: Line 53:
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== See Also ==
+
== See also ==
  
 
*[[Uses of "shi⋯⋯ de"]]
 
*[[Uses of "shi⋯⋯ de"]]
Line 60: Line 61:
  
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Websites ===
 
  
  
 
[[Category:Structures]]
 
[[Category:Structures]]
 
{{Basic Grammar|是|B1|是⋯⋯ 的|我 <em>是</em> 来 上海 旅游 <em>的</em> 。|grammar point|ASG0UFR4}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|是|B1|是⋯⋯ 的|我 <em>是</em> 来 上海 旅游 <em>的</em> 。|grammar point|ASG0UFR4}}
 +
{{Rel char|的}}
 
{{Similar|的 (modal particle)}}
 
{{Similar|的 (modal particle)}}
 
{{Similar|Uses of "shi" with "de")}}
 
{{Similar|Uses of "shi" with "de")}}
Line 71: Line 71:
 
{{Used for|Emphasizing}}
 
{{Used for|Emphasizing}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing purpose}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing purpose}}
{{Rel char|的}}
 
 
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}
 
{{Structure|Sentence Patterns}}

Revision as of 06:55, 13 December 2017

There are many ways to explain why you are doing something or what's the use of things. This article will explain another way to do that, and it just happens to involve "是⋯⋯的." This isn't to say that you can't make these sentences without using "是" and "的" but this can help emphasize why you are doing something or what's the use of thing, giving your sentence a little more kick.

Person as Subject

Structure

If the subject is a person, there is often a "来" or "去" after the "是," indicating direction like "coming here" or "going there."

Person + 是 + 来 / 去 + [Verb Phrase] + 的

Examples

  • 旅游 shì lái lǚyóu de.I came for traveling.
  • 我们 都 出差 Wǒmen dōu shì chūchāi de.We are all going on business trips.
  • 他们 都 实习 Tāmen dōu shì lái shíxí de.They all came here to do an internship.
  • 你 真的 帮 我们 吗 ? Nǐ zhēnde shì lái bāng wǒmen de ma?Are you here to help us? Really?
  • 我们 不 做 调查 Wǒmen bù shì wán de, shì zuò diàochá de.We're not going to hang out with people. Instead, we're there to do research.

Things as Subject

Structure

If the subject is a thing, "用来" is often used. Look at the examples below for some more clarification.

Thing + 是 + 用来 + [Verb Phrase] + 的

or

Thing + 是 + 给 + Person + [Verb Phrase] + 的

Examples

  • 这 种 菜 用来 做 汤 Zhè zhǒng cài shì yònglái zuò tāng de.This kind of vegetable is for making soup.
  • 这 个 房间 客人 住 Zhège fángjiān shì gěi kèrén zhù de.This room is for our guest to live in.
  • 这些 钱 孩子 上 大学 zhèxiē qián shì gěi háizi shàng dàxué de.This money is for our children going to college.
  • 这些 礼物 客户 准备 Zhèxiē lǐwù shì gěi kèhù zhǔnbèi de.These presents are prepared for the clients.
  • 用来 ,不 用来Qián shì yònglái huā de, bù shì yònglái shěng de.Money is for spending, not for saving.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books