Li: Chinese Grammar
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Chapter 24. Sentence Patterns I： Single Sentences
24.1 Subject-predicate sentences (主谓句 zhŭwèijù) → 24.1.1. Sentences with double objects (双宾语句
shuāngbīnyŭjù) → 24.1.2 Sentences with multi-predicate phrase (连谓句 liánwèijù) → 24.1.3 Sentences
with pivotal phrase (兼语句 jiānyŭjù) → 24.1.4 Existential sentences (存现句 cúnxiànjù) → 24.1.5
Sentences with subject-predicate phrase (主谓谓语句 liánwèijù) → 24.1.6 Sentences with 把 phrase (把字
句 liánwèijù) → 24.1.7 Sentences with 被 phrase (被字句 bèizìjù) → 24.2 Sentences without a subject (无
主句 wúzhŭjù) → 24.3 Sentences types (句类 jùlèi) → 24.3.1 Declarative sentences (陈述句 chénshùjù) →
24.3.2 Interrogative sentences (疑问句 qíwènjù) → 24.3.2.1 Yes-or-no questions (是非疑问句 shìfēi
yíwènjù) → 24.3.2.2 Special questions (特指疑问句 tèzhǐ yíwènjù) → 24.3.2.3 Alternative questions (选择
疑问句 xuǎnzé yíwènjù) → 24.3.2.4 Affirmative-negative questions (正反疑问句 zhèngfǎn yíwènjù) →
24.3.2.5 Rhetorical questions (反诘疑问句 fǎnjié yíwènjù) → 24.3.3 Imperative sentences (祈使句 qíshǐjù)
→ 24.3.4 Exclamatory sentences (感叹句 gǎntànjù) → 24.3 Sentences of active voice (主动句 zhŭdòngjù)
and sentences of passive voice (被动句 bèidòngjù)
Single sentences (单句 dānjù), as the term suggests, are composed of only one sentence, or have only one
subject and one predicate. From different perspectives, single sentences can be further classified into different
types. Sentences with a subject can be classified into subject-predicate sentences (主谓句 zhŭwèijù),
otherwise they are sentences without a subject (无主句 wúzhŭjù). According to the structures, they can be
classified into different sentence patterns (句型 jùxíng). According to the moods, they can be classified into
different sentence types (句类 jùlèi). According to the voices, they can be classified into sentences of active
voice (主动句 zhŭdòngjù) and sentences of passive voice (被动句 bèidòngjù).
24.1 Subject-predicate sentences (主谓句 zhŭwèijù) have both a subject and a predicate：
a. 他很聪明。
He is very brilliant. (subject plus predicate, adjective as the chief word of the predicate)
b. 今天星期六。
Today is Saturday. (subject plus predicate, noun as the predicate)
c. 警察已经走了。
The police already left. (subject plus predicate, verb as the chief word of the predicate)
*If there is also an object in the sentence, the predicate further divides into two parts： the transitive verb and
the object：
d. 我记住了他的名字。
I remembered his name. (subject plus transitive verb plus object)
In Chinese, there are different types of subject-predicate sentences. The followings are some of them.
24.1.1 Sentences with double objects (双宾语句 shuāngbīnyŭjù) have two objects：the indirect object, mainly
referring to person(s), and direct object, mainly referring to thing(s)：
a. 他们从来不给我一个机会。
They never gave me a chance.
b. 她教外国学生英语。
She taught English to foreign students.
c. 我问那个警卫火车发车的时间。
I asked the guard the time of the train's departure.
d. 他告诉我们这个不寻常的消息。
He told us this extraordinary news.
e. 他们总是叫他小胖。
They always called him Little Chubby.
f. 因危险驾驶，法庭罚了他 100 美金。
(The following is omitted.)