A 是 B
subject + 是 + noun
Use 是 to identify a person or thing. Do not use it directly before a normal adjective.
她是老师。
She is a teacher.
我是德国人。
I am German.
Common mistake: Say 她很好, not 她是很好, for a simple adjective statement.
Correct model: Use 是 before a noun: 我是学生。 For an adjective, say 我很好。
Quick practice
- Write a new sentence following
subject + 是 + noun. - Rewrite the common mistake above, then compare your structure with the two model sentences.
有 for possession and existence
subject/place + 有 + noun
有 means to have or indicates that something exists in a place.
我有一个妹妹。
I have a younger sister.
学校里有很多学生。
There are many students at school.
Common mistake: Negate 有 with 没有, not 不有.
Correct model: Use 没有 for negation: 我没有车。
Quick practice
- Write a new sentence following
subject/place + 有 + noun. - Rewrite the common mistake above, then compare your structure with the two model sentences.
在 for location
subject + 在 + place
Use 在 before a place to say where someone or something is.
书在桌子上。
The book is on the table.
老师在学校。
The teacher is at school.
Common mistake: Keep the location after 在.
Correct model: Put the place directly after 在: 他在北京。
Quick practice
- Write a new sentence following
subject + 在 + place. - Rewrite the common mistake above, then compare your structure with the two model sentences.
的 for possession
owner/description + 的 + noun
的 connects an owner or description to a noun.
这是我的书。
This is my book.
这是老师的书。
This is the teacher's book.
Common mistake: Do not add 的 after every adjective when a fixed compound is more natural.
Correct model: Use 的 between the owner and the noun: 我的朋友。
Quick practice
- Write a new sentence following
owner/description + 的 + noun. - Rewrite the common mistake above, then compare your structure with the two model sentences.
吗 yes-no questions
statement + 吗？
Add 吗 to a statement to form a neutral yes-no question.
你喜欢喝茶吗？
Do you like drinking tea?
你是学生吗？
Are you a student?
Common mistake: Do not normally combine 吗 with a question word such as 什么.
Correct model: Use either 吗 or a question word, not both: 你叫什么名字？
Quick practice
- Write a new sentence following
statement + 吗？. - Rewrite the common mistake above, then compare your structure with the two model sentences.
很 with adjectives
subject + 很 + adjective
很 often links a subject and an adjective without strongly meaning very.
今天天气很好。
The weather is good today.
这杯茶很好喝。
This tea tastes good.
Common mistake: A bare adjective can sound contrastive; 很 often makes the statement neutral.
Correct model: Use 很 before a neutral adjective statement: 天气很好。
Quick practice
- Write a new sentence following
subject + 很 + adjective. - Rewrite the common mistake above, then compare your structure with the two model sentences.