Here is a list of common grammar points that are often tested on the AP Chinese exam. It is essential to have a strong grasp of these concepts.
Grammar list for AP Chinese
The AP Chinese exam doesn’t have a specific grammar list provided by the College Board. Instead, it assesses your ability to use grammar naturally and effectively in various contexts. However, here is a list of common grammar points and structures that are often tested on the AP Chinese exam. It’s essential to have a strong grasp of these grammar concepts:
Tenses:
Present, past, and future tenses.
Aspect markers like 了 (le) for completed actions.
Sentence Structure:
Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) sentence structure.
Subordinate clauses and relative clauses.
Passive voice construction (被 bèi).
Negation:
Using 不 (bù) for negation.
Using 没有 (méi yǒu) for “have not” or “did not.”
Questions:
Yes-no questions with 吗 (ma).
Wh-questions with 什么 (shén me), 哪里 (nǎlǐ), 谁 (shéi), etc.
Comparatives:
Using 比 (bǐ) for comparisons.
Comparative structures like 更 (gèng), 更加 (gèng jiā).
Modality:
Expressing possibility with 可能 (kě néng).
Expressing necessity with 必须 (bì xū).
Conjunctions:
Using 还是 (hái shì) for “or” in questions.
Using 而且 (ér qiě) for “and.”
Expressing Duration:
Using 了 (le) to indicate the duration of an action.
Expressing Purpose:
Using 为了 (wèi le) to indicate purpose.
Conditional Sentences:
Using 如果 (rú guǒ) for “if” clauses.
Using 就 (jiù) to indicate a resulting action.
Causative Structures:
Using 让 (ràng) to indicate “let” or “allow.”
Using 使 (shǐ) to indicate “cause” or “make.”
Expressing Sequence:
Using 先 (xiān) for “first,” 然后 (rán hòu) for “then,” 最后 (zuì hòu) for “finally.”
Emphasis:
Using 是…的 (shì…de) to emphasize information in a sentence.
Expressing Possession:
Using 的 (de) to indicate possession.
Particles:
Using 吧 (ba) for suggestions or softening commands.