3.7 Verb Phrases in the Subject or Object Position

In English, a verb phrase can’t usually be put directly in the subject or object position of a sentence. Some changes to the verb are usually required.

Subject
Verb
Object
I
like
watch movies
.
✔️
I
like
watching movies
.
The verb phrase watch movies can't be put directly in the object position. Adding -ing to the verb watch is required.

In Cantonese, we can put a verb phrase directly in the subject or object position of a sentence. We don’t need to make any changes to the verb phrase.

Subject
Verb
Object

ngo5
鍾意
zung1 ji3
睇戲
tai2 hei3
I like watching movies.
We can put the verb phrase 睇戲 tai2 hei3 directly in the object position with making any changes.