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把 sentences: deal with the object first

把字句

Level 4 · 把 / 被 · 把被

把 moves the object before the verb when you 'do something to it'

The pattern

S + 把 + O + V + tail
  • 把 yanks the object in front of the verb: 我把书放在桌子上 'I took the book and put it on the table'. Use it when the verb does something concrete TO the object, move it, change it, finish it.
  • The verb can't be bare: it needs a tail: 了, a complement, or a place. 我把门关 is wrong; 我把门关上 is right.

Examples

请把门关上。 請把門關上
qǐng bǎ mén guān shàng
Please close the door.
我把作业写完了。 我把作業寫完了
wǒ bǎ zuò yè xiě wán le
I finished my homework.
别把衣服放在床上。 別把衣服放在床上
bié bǎ yī fu fàng zài chuáng shàng
Don't leave your clothes on the bed.

Quick check

1. 'Put the book on the table.'
  1. 我把书放在桌子上。
  2. 我放书在桌子上把。
  3. 把书我放桌子。
Show answer 我把书放在桌子上。 — 把 + object + verb + place.
2. Which 把-sentence is broken?
  1. 他把饭吃了。
  2. 我把门关。
  3. 她把包带来了。
Show answer 我把门关。 — A 把-verb needs a tail: 关上, 了, a complement…
3. 'Don't forget your keys.'
  1. 别把钥匙忘了。
  2. 钥匙把别忘了。
  3. 不钥匙把忘。
Show answer 别把钥匙忘了。 — 别 + 把 + O + V.
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