HSK 4
“把”字句2：表处置
“ bǎ ” zì jù 2 ： biǎo chǔ zhì
把 sentence type 2: Expressing handling, arranging actions
Explanation
This is the 把 (bǎ)-construction type 2, expressing 'handling/acting upon': the subject moves the object (the target affected by the action, e.g. 'book' in 'buy a book') before the verb using 把 to emphasize how it is dealt with and the resulting effect on that object.
Subject + 把 (bǎ) + object + verb + additional element. The verb CANNOT stand bare on its own; it must be accompanied by one of the following forms. Form 1: reduplicate the verb or add 一/了, indicating a casual, brief action, e.g. 检查检查 jiǎnchá jiǎnchá ('check over'), 擦一擦 cā yi cā ('give a wipe'). Form 2: use 给 gěi combined with 着 zhe/了 le to emphasize the result/state, e.g. 给拿着 gěi názhe ('hold it for someone'). Form 3: verb + complement of frequency or duration (an element after the verb telling how many times / how long), e.g. 批评了一顿 pīpíng le yí dùn ('scolded once'), 读了好几遍 dú le hǎo jǐ biàn ('read several times').
When you want to state clearly how the subject has 'handled' a definite object and what result was produced (sweeping the floor clean, drying the clothes, forgetting all the words). The object after 把 must be something known/definite, not a vague thing.
(1) Leaving the verb bare after the object (wrong: 把地扫) — there must be a complement, verb reduplication, or 了/着. (2) Placing the negative adverb 不/没 or a modal verb in the WRONG spot: they must go BEFORE 把 (你别忘了把护照带着), not after 把. (3) Using 把 with a general, indefinite object.
Examples
Everyone, check the exam papers over one more time.
You sweep the floor, and I'll wipe the table.
He dried the winter clothes in the sun and stored them in the trunk.
He has forgotten all the new words he had learned.
He can't carry them anymore, so help him hold these things.
Don't forget to bring your passport.
The teacher gave him a scolding.
He read the article several times over.
He thought seriously about this problem for several days.
Practice
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Learn ““把”字句2：表处置” effectively
The grammar point ““把”字句2：表处置” (把 sentence type 2: Expressing handling, arranging actions) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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