recognize the main verb in complicated Chinese sentences

recognize the main verb in complicated Chinese sentences (1)

By ran fan

We have learned lots of grammar points and sentence constructions.... How do you apply them to processing and comprehending sentences?

By ran fan

​

English/Chinese S（主语）+ V（主要动词）+​ O（宾语）

​

​

Complications in Chinese:

S (vs. topic)

V​ (one sentence can have multiple verbs; adjectives)

O (can be fronted or have excessive modifier)

​

By ran fan

​

​

We get started with identifying the main verb.

​

By ran fan

​

​

The main verb (主要動詞）or the principal verb, refers to the important verb in the sentence, the one that typically shows the action or state of being of the subject.

​

(Note: in Chinese, adjectives also behave similar as verbs， 上网课很麻烦。)

​

By ran fan

​

​

How do you identify the main verb in simple English sentences quickly?

​

By ran fan

By ran fan

​

​

How do you identify the main verb in very long and tortuous English sentences quickly? (main clause +subordinate clause)

​​

‘As a way of negotiating an unfamiliar city, many tourists find it best to use a mobile app like ‘Citysmart’, which is available free in most countries and can be easily downloaded wherever they are, rather than having to carry a cumbersome map or guidebook every time they venture into the city centre.’

​

Form + Meaning (central message)

​

Open Ended

1. 除了一棟棟整齊，漂亮的新房和一條條寬闊平坦的街道以外，這個社區還擁有學校，商業中心，文化站，娛樂城，體育館，圖書館，农贸市场等各種服務設施。

Open Ended

除了一棟棟整齊，漂亮的新房和一條條寬闊平坦的街道以外，這個社區還(auxiliary/helping verb)擁有(compoud word, BIG word)學校，商業中心，文化站，娛樂城，體育館，圖書館，农贸市场等各種服務設施。

Open Ended

 

2. 隨著中國經濟的快速發展和人民生活水平的不斷提高，互聯網已經成為了中國人生活中不可缺少的一部分。

Open Ended

 

隨著中國經濟的快速發展和人民生活水平的不斷提高，互聯網已經（adverb) 成為了(aspect marker, 正在，过，着，etc.)中國人生活中不可缺少的一部分。

Open Ended

3. 北京的一家電視臺最近對北京西城區的工廠，學校，商店等11個單位中的55對新婚夫婦進行了一次調查，調查的問題是婚後願不願意和父母住在一起。

Open Ended

北京的一家電視臺最近對北京西城區的工廠，學校，商店等11個單位中的55對新婚夫婦進行了("redundant verb")一次調查，調查(repetition) 的問題是婚後願不願意和父母住在一起。

Open Ended

4. 醫療系統的改革和競爭給人們看病就醫帶來了方便，可是現在去醫院看病對很多家庭來說都很讓人擔心。

Open Ended

醫療系統的改革和競爭給人們看病就醫帶來了方便，可是(conjunctives indicating the focus of the argument) 現在去醫院看病對很多家庭來說都很（degree word) 讓( grammar word/ causative marker)人擔心。

Open Ended

5. 小劉雖然很忙， 可是她天天都把她已經租了5年、位於蒙特雷市郊區美國銀行旁邊的一棟兩層小樓打掃得幹幹凈凈的。

Open Ended

小劉雖然很忙， 可是她天天都把("unique/advanced" grammar word, disposal marker)她已經租了5年、位於蒙特雷市郊區美國銀行旁邊的一棟兩層小樓打掃得（verb complement marker)幹幹凈凈的 (emphasizing word)。

Open Ended

6. 她剛從中國科技大學工商管理專業畢業就被中國最大、最好、最著名的一家保險咨詢公司高薪聘用了。

Open Ended

她剛從中國科技大學工商管理專業畢業就(imminent aspect marker)被(advanced grammar word, passive voice marker)中國最大、最好、最著名的一家保險咨詢公司高薪聘用(compound words)了 (completion aspect marker)。