Using "ba" sentences

The 把 sentence, called 把字句 in Chinese, is a useful structure for focusing on the result or influence of an action. It's really common in Mandarin, but can feel a bit strange for English speakers to begin with.

Forming a 把 sentence

A basic sentence in Mandarin is formed with a subject-verb-object structure, as in English:

• 我吃馒头

A 把 sentence shakes things up a bit and re-arranges the word order:

• Subject + 把 + Object + Verb

So you now have a SOV word order

Sources and further reading

• 外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照) (pp. 461 - 470)