HSK 2
“是⋯⋯的”句1：强调时间、地点、方式、动作者
“ shì ⋯ ⋯ de ” jù 1 ： qiáng diào shí jiān 、 dì diǎn 、 fāng shì 、 dòng zuò zhě
The '是⋯⋯的' structure emphasizing time, place, manner, or doer
Explanation
The 是⋯⋯的 (shì…de) construction is used to emphasize a detail of an event that HAS already happened: the time, place, manner, or the doer of the action.
Subject + 是 (shì) + [the part to emphasize] + verb + 的 (de). Place the information to be highlighted right after 是, and 的 comes at the end (usually after the verb). For example 我是昨天到北京的 = emphasizing the time 昨天 (zuótiān) (yesterday).
When an event has already happened and the speaker wants to ask/affirm CLEARLY when, where, how, or by whom. For example asking 你是怎么来的？ (nǐ shì zěnme lái de?) = How did you come?
是…的 speaks about a completed event and emphasizes the circumstances, DIFFERENT from 了 (le) (which simply reports that something has happened without emphasizing any detail).
Vietnamese learners often forget the 的 (de) at the end, or misplace the emphasized part (it must sit between 是 and the verb, not after 的).
Examples
I arrived in Beijing yesterday.
He bought the phone online.
We came by plane.
This matter was told to me by the teacher.
Practice
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Learn ““是⋯⋯的”句1：强调时间、地点、方式、动作者” effectively
The grammar point ““是⋯⋯的”句1：强调时间、地点、方式、动作者” (The '是⋯⋯的' structure emphasizing time, place, manner, or doer) 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.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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