Difference between revisions of "Time words and word order"

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== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
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[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
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{{Basic Grammar|none|A2|Subj. + Time… / Time + Subj….|我 <em>明天</em> 有 空。/ <em>明天</em> 我 有 空。|grammar point|ASG5RWKO}
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{{Similar|Word order}}
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{{Similar|Using "zai" with verbs}}
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{{Similar|Wanting to do something with yao}}
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{{Similar|Expressing completion with le}}

Revision as of 02:44, 13 June 2012

Structure

In Chinese, time words can appear in one of two positions in the sentence: either at the beginning of the sentence (before the subject), or directly after the subject. The structures are:

Time + Subject + Verb + Object

Subject + Time + Verb + Object

So this is one of the rare occasions where if you start speaking with English word order (time first), you can carry on and get away with it.

Examples

  • 昨天 我 去 了 酒吧。
  • 昨天 去 了 酒吧。
  • 下 个 星期 他 要 回国。
  • 下 个 星期 要 回国。

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

{{Basic Grammar|none|A2|Subj. + Time… / Time + Subj….|我 明天 有 空。/ 明天 我 有 空。|grammar point|ASG5RWKO}