HSK 2Lesson 12 of 13 · 7 grammar points

Focusing details and relating events

是…的 focuses a detail of a known event, pivotal verbs assign actions to people, and connectors mark concession, cause or immediate sequence. Do not select a connector merely because two clauses happen to sit next to each other.

Learning goals (7)

Focusing a known past event.
Having someone do something.
Giving through a verb+给 construction.
Alternative clauses.
Concession with 虽然…但是.
Cause and consequence.
Immediate sequence.

强调时间、地点、方式、动作者

Focusing a known past event

是…的 can highlight when, where, how or by whom a known event occurred.

我是昨天来的。

Wǒ shì zuó tiān lái de.

It was yesterday that I came.

我是昨天来的 emphasizes when; 我是在北京认识他的 emphasizes where; 我是坐车来的 emphasizes how; 是小王告诉我的 emphasizes who. The event is generally treated as given in this focus use.

Pitfall: This is not a universal past tense and differs from simply saying 我来了.

让我

Having someone do something

请、叫、让 can introduce a person who performs the next action. Distinguish request, instruction and permission by context.

老师让我读课文。

Lǎo shī ràng wǒ dú kè wén.

The teacher asked me to read the text.

Pitfall: 我 performs 读; it is not the thing being read.

给

Giving through a verb+给 construction

A transfer verb plus 给 can introduce the recipient before the transferred thing.

他送给我一本书。

Tā sòng gěi wǒ yī běn shū.

He gave me a book as a gift.

Pitfall: Recipient and thing have different roles; do not reverse them blindly.

还是

Alternative clauses

是…还是… frames a choice between actions or propositions, often as a direct or embedded question.

你是今天去，还是明天去？

Nǐ shì jīn tiān qù, hái shì míng tiān qù?

Are you going today or tomorrow?

Pitfall: Use 或者 for many statements listing alternatives rather than asking a choice.

虽然…，但是…

Concession with 虽然…但是

The first clause acknowledges a fact; the second contradicts an expected consequence. Chinese permits both markers together.

虽然很冷，但是他还想出去。

Suī rán hěn lěng, dàn shì tā hái xiǎng chū qù.

Although it is cold, he still wants to go out.

Pitfall: Do not apply the English ban on although…but mechanically to Chinese.

因为…，所以…

Cause and consequence

因为 gives the reason; 所以 introduces the consequence. Context can permit either marker to be omitted.

因为生病，所以他没来。

Yīn wèi shēng bìng, suǒ yǐ tā méi lái.

He did not come because he was ill.

Pitfall: Do not reverse cause and consequence merely to match English word order.

一…就…

Immediate sequence

一…就… connects the onset/completion of one action to a promptly following action or habitual result.

我一到家就给你打电话。

Wǒ yī dào jiā jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà.

I will call you as soon as I get home.

Pitfall: 一 here is a structural marker rather than a count of one object.

Source details (official syllabus)

Focusing a known past event
Syllabus item
强调时间、地点、方式、动作者
Category
“是……的”句1
Grammar ID
grammar-L2-065
PDF page
390 (printed 387)
Having someone do something
Syllabus item
表使令：主语+请/叫/让……+宾语1+动词+宾语2
Category
兼语句1
Grammar ID
grammar-L2-066
PDF page
391 (printed 388)
Giving through a verb+给 construction
Syllabus item
主语+动词+给+宾语1+宾语2
Category
双宾语句2
Grammar ID
grammar-L2-067
PDF page
391 (printed 388)
Alternative clauses
Syllabus item
（是）……，还是……
Category
选择复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L2-068
PDF page
391 (printed 388)
Concession with 虽然…但是
Syllabus item
虽然……，但是……
Category
转折复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L2-069
PDF page
391 (printed 388)
Cause and consequence
Syllabus item
因为……，所以……
Category
因果复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L2-070
PDF page
391 (printed 388)
Immediate sequence
Syllabus item
一……就……
Category
紧缩复句
Grammar ID
grammar-L2-071
PDF page
391 (printed 388)