HSK 2
连动句1：表示前后动作先后发生
lián dòng jù 1 ： biǎo shì qián hòu dòng zuò xiān hòu fā shēng
Two consecutive verbs (连动句 1)
Explanation
A serial-verb sentence (连动句 liándòngjù) is a sentence in which one subject (the person or thing performing the action, at the head of the sentence) carries out two or more verbs in succession; in this pattern the two actions occur in a before-after sequence.
Subject + verb 1 (+ object) + verb 2 (+ object). The order of the two verbs is precisely the actual chronological order: the first action is completed before the second. For example 开门出去 = open the door (first) then go out (after).
When narrating two consecutive actions of the same person (他开门出去了, 我们吃完饭去图书馆). The particle 了 le or 完 wán can be attached to emphasize the completion of the first action (吃完饭 = having finished eating).
The structure itself already shows the sequence, so you usually do NOT need to add 然后 (ránhòu = then) between the two verbs.
Vietnamese learners often insert 和 (hé = and) between the two verbs (开门和出去) — wrong; the two verbs are placed side by side, without 和 to connect them. Also, don't reverse the verb order since it reflects the chronological sequence.
Examples
He opened the door and went out.
Let's go to the library after we finish eating.
Practice
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Learn “连动句1：表示前后动作先后发生” effectively
The grammar point “连动句1：表示前后动作先后发生” (Two consecutive verbs (连动句 1)) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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