Grammar question
xiao_liang
March 05, 2010, 10:29 AM posted in General DiscussionSorry, 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?
xiao_liang
March 05, 2010, 08:22 PMHmn, 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 :)
trevorb
March 05, 2010, 09:06 PMI 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
xiao_liang
Hah. One of the first stock phrases I have ready is "对不起我佷迟缓" :p
fazlija12w
March 05, 2010, 10:02 PMni man hao ma:D
xiao_liang
March 05, 2010, 10:36 PMHah. One of the first stock phrases I have ready is "对不起我佷迟缓" :p
verazxl
March 05, 2010, 05:52 PMTechnically, 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. :)