Serial-verb sentences (1)

In Chinese, serial-verb sentences (liándòngjù) are sentences whose predicate contains two or more verb phrases in a row.

Such sentences usually carry one of two meanings:

1. the purpose of the action 2. the manner of the action

expressing the purpose of the action

Here the first action is done in order to carry out the second.

Basic structure

Here the purpose of going to the supermarket is to buy things.

Here the purpose of going to the restaurant is to have dinner.

expressing the manner of the action

Here the first verb phrase shows how the second action is carried out.

Basic structure

Here 坐出租车 states how the going is done.

Here too 坐出租车 shows the manner of the action.