Everything you need to use the 把 construction correctly: the patterns, when to use them, examples with audio, common mistakes and exercises with answers.
The 把 construction moves the object in front of the verb to stress what was done to it. Basic pattern: S + 把 + O + V + result/complement. Key patterns: Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Result; Subject + 没(有) + 把 + Object + Verb + Result.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pattern | S + 把 + O + V + Result Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Result | 我把门关上了。 I closed the door. The verb is usually followed by a result such as 上, 好, 完 or 到... |
| Negative form | S + 没(有) + 把 + O + V + Result Subject + 没(有) + 把 + Object + Verb + Result | 我没把作业写完。 I have not finished my homework. |
The affected object comes right after 把.
Without a result or complement, a 把 sentence usually sounds unnatural.
Pick the right option, then open the answer to check it.
Options: 把 · 比 · 被 · 跟
把. A request to do something to an object uses 把: 请把门关上。
Options: 我书把放在桌子上了。 · 我把书放。 · 我把书放在桌子上了。 · 我被书放在桌子上了。
我把书放在桌子上了。. A well-formed 把 sentence runs S + 把 + O + V + place or result.
Options: 了 · 别 · 没 · 被
没. To negate a past 把 sentence, put 没(有) before 把: He did not finish his homework yesterday.
Options: 请把这句话写。 · 请把这句话写下来。 · 请被这句话写下来。 · 请这句话把写下来。
请把这句话写下来。. A 把 sentence wants a resultative complement such as 下来.
Options: 老师把问题解释了清楚。 · 老师把问题解释清楚了。 · 老师被问题解释清楚了。 · 老师问题把解释清楚了。
老师把问题解释清楚了。. Standard pattern: S + 把 + O + V + result (清楚).
Options: 在 · 把 · 比 · 被
把. Asking someone to act on a specific object uses 把: Please turn on the air conditioner.
Options: 在 · 完 · 很 · 着
完. A 把 sentence needs a result after the verb; 做完 = finish doing: I have finished my homework.
Options: 从 · 在 · 比 · 给
给. Handing something to someone: 把 + O + V + 给 + person: Please pass me that book.
Options: 从 · 在 · 往 · 给
在. 把 + O + 放在 + place = put somewhere: He put the cup on the table.
Options: 干净 · 很 · 得 · 着
干净. 洗干净 = wash clean, the result of the action: Mum has washed the clothes clean.
Options: 我吃完把苹果了。 · 我把吃完苹果了。 · 我把苹果吃了完。 · 我把苹果吃完了。
我把苹果吃完了。. Order: S + 把 + O + V + result + 了: I have eaten up the apples.
Options: 对 · 把 · 比 · 被
把. 别 goes before 把: 别把 + O + V: Don't tell him about this.
Options: 从 · 到 · 在 · 给
在. 忘在 + place = leave something behind somewhere: I left my wallet at home.
Options: 了 · 别 · 没 · 被
没. To negate a 把 sentence, put 没 before 把: He still has not given the book back to me.
Options: 了 · 在 · 成 · 给
成. 把 A 翻译成 B = translate A into B: Please translate these sentences into Chinese.
Options: 他打扫把房间干净了。 · 他把房间干净打扫了。 · 他把房间打扫。 · 他把房间打扫干净了。
他把房间打扫干净了。. A 把 sentence cannot end in a bare verb; the result 干净 follows the verb: He cleaned the room.
Options: 对 · 把 · 比 · 被
把. When the subject acts on the object, use 把: He wrote my name wrong.
Options: 在 · 很 · 着 · 走
走. 骑走 = ride away with: He rode off on my bike.
Options: 别打破把杯子了。 · 别把杯子打。 · 别把杯子打破了。 · 别被杯子打破了。
别把杯子打破了。. The pattern 别把 + O + V + result + 了 gives a warning: Don't break the cup.
Options: 把 · 比 · 被 · 跟
把. 把 + O + 交给 + person = hand in to someone: I handed my homework to the teacher.
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