Grammar question

xiao_liang
March 05, 2010, 10:29 AM posted in General Discussion

Sorry, I couldn't think of a suitable existing discussion to lodge this under. I was moaning (a little dramatically) last night about being a terrible artist in an IM conversation, and said, "我不好画家", but I was corrected to "我是个不好的画家" to make the sentence smoother.

I'm a bit confused as to when we miss out the joining words like 是 and 的 and when we don't. Is it just down to experience, knowing which sentences require them?

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verazxl
March 05, 2010, 05:52 PM

Technically, it is based on the grammar. 我不好画家 there is no verb in the sentence. So it's wrong. Acutually I think it is a little down to experience. Because when you talk to others, you don't have much time to think about grammar.

As a English learner, I still made mistakes after almost 20-year study such as: I go to the theatre yesterday. As far as I concerned, the more you practice and speak, the less you are confused. :)

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xiao_liang
March 05, 2010, 08:22 PM

Hmn, I can see that. Thanks Vera. I didn't notice the lack of verb. How about the 的. Is there a rule on it? 

 

Actually, come to think of it, there's probably a lesson on it. I'll have a look :)

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trevorb
March 05, 2010, 09:06 PM

I too get confused with when to use 是 inevitably I use it much less than I should in an effort not to use it in the right place.

I blame some of the portrayals of  Chinese speakers speaking English in films!  

I think Vera is right its something you have to just know.  I certainly never wonder to myself if I have added a verb in English, I just do!  Alas I dread to think how much time it takes before you can think in a second language well enough to do this naturally.  I think you are very brave tackling QQ, IM doesn't give you much time to think about a reply

 

 

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xiao_liang

Hah. One of the first stock phrases I have ready is "对不起我佷迟缓" :p

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fazlija12w
March 05, 2010, 10:02 PM

ni man hao ma:D

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xiao_liang
March 05, 2010, 10:36 PM

Hah. One of the first stock phrases I have ready is "对不起我佷迟缓" :p