38.9 Serial Verb Constructions V (Method)
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In Grammar and Vocabulary 8.5, 16.4, 18.2, and 23.2, we learned to form serial verb constructions.
We will see another meaning relationship in this lesson: the first verb phrase indicates the method of doing the activity in the second verb phrase. That is, the first verb phrase describes how we do the activity in the second verb phrase.
The first verb phrase 坐扶手電梯 co5 fu4 sau2 din6 tai1 indicates the method of the second verb phrase 上去 soeng5 heoi3. The speaker asks the listener to go up by taking the escalator. The first verb phrase 搭𨋢 daap3 lip1 indicates the method of the second verb phrase 落去 lok6 heoi3. The speaker asks the listener to go down by taking the elevator.The verb 用 jung6 means ‘to use’. It is commonly used in the first verb phrase to indicate the method. We put a tool after 用 jung6.