了， 过， 着 - What is the difference amongst these three particles?

cheesypoof
 November 22, 2009, 02:19 AM posted in General Discussion

Hello,

    I was given a grammar test and instructed fill in the blank of each sentence with one of the following words; 了，过， or 着。I was completely lost.  Can anyone offer a very preschoolish explanation of what sets these characters apart?  I have used dictionary definitions, but am still not clear.

Thank you,

Matt Chesebrough

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changye
 November 22, 2009, 02:57 AM

Hi cheesypoof

(1) 过 (guo4) is used when you want to say something like "I have an experience of ～", like 我去过中国 and 我看过这本书.

(2) 着 (zhe) is used for an ongoing action （现在我看着书呢）, a continued action （门开着呢） and concurrent two actions (我站着吃).

(3) When a question seems to conform neither to (1) nor to (2), just choose "了". You have a good chance of answering correctly.