Chinese Grammar Patterns – Lecture Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards summarizing the key Chinese grammar structures introduced on Page 1 of the lecture notes.

一边 … 一边 …

Used to indicate two actions happening simultaneously; equivalent to “while … (also) …” in English.

一点儿

Means “a little / a bit”; commonly used before nouns or adjectives to soften tone or indicate small quantity.

虽然 … 但是 …

Concessive structure meaning “although … yet / but …”; expresses contrast between two clauses.

不但 … 而且 …

Correlative conjunction meaning “not only … but also …”; links two related statements, the latter often stronger.

跟 … 一样／不一样

Pattern for expressing similarity or difference; “as … as / the same as” or “different from …”.

除了 … 以外

Means “besides / except for …”; can include or exclude items depending on context.

Sub. + 要 + V + 了

Indicates that an action is about to happen soon; conveys imminence (“be going to …”).

A + 比 + B + Adj.

Comparative structure meaning “A is more (Adj.) than B.”

只要 … 就 …

Conditional pattern: “so long as / provided that … then ….”

Sub. + V + Obj. + 的时候 + Sub. + 正在 + V + Obj.

Expresses two actions occurring at the same moment; first clause sets time, second describes ongoing action.

Sub. + V + 了 + Obj. + 以后就 + V + Obj.

Sequential pattern: “After (doing) …, (subject) immediately ….”

有点儿 + Adj./V

Means “a little bit (too) …”; often carries a slight negative nuance toward the adjective or verb.

Sub. + [Time Phrase] + 才 + V.

Indicates lateness or that something happens later than expected; “not … until ….”

Sub. + 正在 + V + Obj.

Progressive aspect emphasizing an action in progress right now; similar to English “be doing ….”

This is number + M + Adj. + N

English cue for Chinese ordinal measure phrase, e.g., ‘这是第三个大的问题’ – expresses ranking/sequence with measure word.

This M + N is an Adj. + 的

Demonstrative structure for attributive description, e.g., ‘这本书是新的’ – “This (measure+noun) is (adj.).”

Sub. + 要 + V + Obj.

Expresses intention or future plan; “(subject) is going to / wants to (do) ….”

如果 … 的话 …

Conditional pattern equivalent to “if … (then) …”; 的话 can often be omitted without changing meaning.

再 + V(O)

Means “to do (something) again / further”; indicates repetition or continuation of an action.

还是 … 吧

Suggestive pattern meaning “had better … / it’d be best to …”; often used to propose a choice after considering options.

先 … 再 … 然后 …

Sequencing connector: “first … then … and then …”; lays out steps or chronological order.