If a stative verb consists of only one syllable, it should be preceded by a modifier. In affirmative sentences this modifier is often the intensifier 很 [hěn]. An affirmative statement without 很, while technically correct, sounds unnatural. We will learn in the next lesson the modifier for negative sentences, 不 [bù], but for now here is a list of single-syllable stative verbs. You don't have to memorize these...yet!

English Grammar Note: Adjectives are descriptive words that modify a noun or pronoun.

Adverbs generally come after the subject and before the verb in Chinese. Since 也 means also, or too don't be tempted to put it at the beginning or end of a sentence. When more than one adverb is used in a statement there is often a set order. In this lesson we learn than 也 comes before 很.

We learned earlier that a character can change tones depending on the tone of the syllable it precedes, and when two third tones are together in a sentence the first third tone changes to a second like in 你好. So what about a sentence like: 我也很好。 Four third tones in a row! In this case the first three third tones are pronounced as second tones [Wó yé hén hǎo]. While the pronunciation of these third tones changes, pinyin rules dictate that the tone markers remain third tone.

Actually, in normal speech you rarely use a full third tone. Third tones not changed to second are often pronounced with what is called a half-third tone--just the first falling part of the third tone is spoken.

When the subject of a sentence is understood within the context of a conversation the subject can be left unstated. Omitting the understood subject is more common in Chinese than English.