23.2 Serial Verb Constructions IV (Subject)

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In Grammar and Vocabulary 16.4, we learned this type of serial verb construction: the first verb phrase is formed by 有 jau5, 冇 mou5 or 有冇 jau5 mou5 and a noun, and the second verb phrase provides details about the noun. In Grammar and Vocabulary 18.2, we learned that the noun in the first verb phrase is sometimes the object of the activity in the second verb phrase.

The noun in the first verb phrase can also be the subject of the activity in the second verb phrase. We will see a few examples like this in this lesson.

SubjectVerb Phrase 1Verb Phrase 2

jau5
‘to have’
NounDetails
嗰日我同Eric
go2 jat6jau5ngo5 tung4 Ericheoi3.
that dayhaveme and Ericgo
There will be me and Eric who go that day.
[= I and Eric will go that day.]
The noun in the first verb phrase is 我同Eric ngo5 tung4 Eric. The second verb phrase specifies that 我同Eric ngo5 tung4 Eric do the activity 去 heoi3. 我同Eric ngo5 tung4 Eric can be seen as the subject of 去 heoi3.

The noun in the first verb phrase can also be a question word (e.g., 邊個 bin1 go3 ‘who’).

SubjectVerb Phrase 1Verb Phrase 2SP

jau5
‘to have’
NounDetails
嗰日邊個
go2 jat6jau5bin1 go3heoi3aa3?
that dayhavewhogoSP
There will be who go that day?
[= Who will go that day?]