Adverbial complement - Adverbs, adjectives as adverbial modifier
状语 — 副词、形容词作状语 表示时间、处所的词语作状语
The adverbial complement (状语) is placed BEFORE the verb. It modifies the action and can be an adverb, an adjective, a prepositional phrase, or a time/place expression.
Structure
Subject + [Time + Place + Method] + Verb
How to use it
- Temporal and locative expressions come before the verb.
- Typical order: Subject + Time + Place + Method + Verb.
Examples
他每天早上跑步。
tā měitiān zǎoshang pǎo bù。
He runs every morning.
我在图书馆学习。
wǒ zài túshūguǎn xuéxí。
Please say it once.
她很高兴。
tā hěn gāo。
Please look at it for a moment.
Notes and exceptions
- The typical order is: Subject + Time + Place + Method + Verb.
Common mistakes
- *I go tomorrow → I go tomorrow: time comes BEFORE the verb.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Temporal and locative expressions come before the verb.)
2. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Typical order: Subject + Time + Place + Method + Verb.)