iNdiCatiNG ComPletioN aNd talkiNG aBoUt the PaSt
37.9
If the object of the verb is a pronoun, 的 de can only occur after the pronoun, at the end of the
sentence.
Say this Not this你是在哪儿认识他的？ *你是在哪儿认识的他？
你是在哪兒認識他的？ 你是在哪兒認識的他？
Nǐ shì zài nǎr rènshi tā de? Nǐ shì zài nǎr rènshi de tā?
Where did you meet him?是 shì may be omitted in affirmative sentences.
这件衣服(是)在网上买的。
這件衣服(是)在網上買的。
Zhè jiàn yīfú (shì) zài wǎngshàng mǎi de.
This item of clothing was bought online.是 shì may not be omitted in negated sentences.
Say this Not this这件衣服不是在网上买的。 *这件衣服不在网上买的。
這件衣服不是在網上買的。 這件衣服不在網上買的。
Zhè jiàn yīfú bù shì zài wǎngshàng
mǎi de.Zhè jiàn yīfú bù zài wǎngshàng
mǎi de.
This item of clothing was not bought online.C11.4, 57.2.4, 57.3