Mastering Chinese Grammar for GCSE Writing
- Manhattan Mandarin UK
- May 30
- 4 min read
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The Most Rewarded Structures
Success in the GCSE Chinese writing exam isn’t just about vocabulary—it hinges heavily on how well you can manipulate grammar to express complexity, clarity, and cohesion. Examiners reward students who demonstrate a range of sentence structures, accurate use of grammar, and a flair for idiomatic expression.
In this post, we’ll unpack the most useful and most rewarded grammar structures to elevate your Chinese writing from average to exceptional.
1. Using Sequencing with 先…然后…再…
Why it’s rewarded: This structure is great for describing a sequence of events logically and fluently. It shows the examiner you can link actions together in a coherent flow.
Structure:
先 (first)… 然后 (then)… 再 (after that)…
Example:
我们先去了博物馆，然后吃了午饭，再去商店买东西。
We first went to the museum, then had lunch, and after that went shopping.
Exam Tip: Use this in recount or diary-style writing (e.g., describing a day out or holiday).
2. The “把” Sentence Structure
Why it’s rewarded: The “把” structure allows you to shift focus to the result or handling of an object. It’s more advanced than simple Subject-Verb-Object and is highly valued in writing tasks.
Structure:
Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Complement
Example:
我把作业做完了。
I finished the homework.
Common complements: 做完 (finish), 打破 (break), 吃光 (eat up), 收拾好 (tidy up)
Exam Tip: Use it when talking about changes of state or results (e.g., “I broke the vase,” “I finished the task”).
3. “虽然…但是…” for Contrast
Why it’s rewarded: This is a versatile structure to express concession and contrast. It shows complexity and allows you to nuance your opinion or describe challenging situations.
Structure:
虽然…但是…
Example:
虽然今天很冷，但是我们还是去了公园。
Although it was very cold today, we still went to the park.
Exam Tip: Excellent for opinion-based writing or describing situations where you overcame obstacles.
4. Relative Clauses Using “的”
Why it’s rewarded: Relative clauses allow for more elegant and detailed noun phrases, showing syntactic sophistication.
Structure:
[Verb/Adjective Clause] + 的 + Noun
Example:
我喜欢吃妈妈做的饭。
I like the food my mum makes.
Exam Tip: Use this to describe people, places, or items in a descriptive or narrative task.
5. Using 过 to Talk About Past Experiences
Why it’s rewarded: This structure marks experiential past, which is especially useful when writing about what you’ve done in your life or studies.
Structure:
Verb + 过
Example:
我去过中国两次。
I’ve been to China twice.
Exam Tip: Use it when comparing experiences or describing travel, school, or family events.
6. “一边…一边…” to Describe Simultaneous Actions
Why it’s rewarded: It adds nuance and variety to action-based writing. It’s especially useful in diary or lifestyle topics.
Structure:
Subject + 一边 + Verb 1 + 一边 + Verb 2
Example:
他一边听音乐，一边写作业。
He listened to music while doing homework.
Exam Tip: A great way to avoid repetitive sentence structures and demonstrate multitasking.
7. Expressing Preferences and Comparisons with 更, 最, 比
Why it’s rewarded: Adjectival comparison shows a command of expressive precision, great for opinions and descriptions.
Examples:
她比我高。 (She is taller than me.)
我最喜欢吃饺子。 (I like dumplings the most.)
冬天比夏天冷。 (Winter is colder than summer.)
这个比那个更好。 (This one is even better than that one.)
Exam Tip: Use comparison in topics about preferences (e.g., school subjects, hobbies, seasons).
8. Using Conditional “如果…就…”
Why it’s rewarded: This structure shows hypothetical thinking—key to upper-tier writing. It can add dimension to arguments or storytelling.
Structure:
如果…就…
Example:
如果明天下雨，我们就不去海边了。
If it rains tomorrow, we won’t go to the beach.
Exam Tip: Use this to explain plans, hopes, or decisions depending on circumstances.
9. Using Modal Verbs (能, 会, 应该, 可以, 想)
Why it’s rewarded: Modal verbs allow you to discuss ability, permission, obligation, and intention—all important for expressing opinions or future plans.
Examples:
我会说中文。 (I can speak Chinese.)
我应该做作业。 (I should do my homework.)
你可以帮我吗？ (Can you help me?)
我想去大学。 (I want to go to university.)
Exam Tip: Mix and match these for a more natural and thoughtful tone.
10. Adding Complexity with “因为…所以…”
Why it’s rewarded: This causal structure connects ideas clearly and logically, allowing you to build paragraphs more effectively.
Structure:
因为…所以…
Example:
因为我生病了，所以没去上学。
Because I was sick, I didn’t go to school.
Exam Tip: Use this to explain decisions, feelings, or changes.
Final Thoughts: What the Examiners Want
Examiners look for:
Accuracy: Grammar and word order must be correct.
Range: Demonstrating a variety of sentence types and structures.
Cohesion: Sentences should flow logically, not just be a list of statements.
Ambition: Attempting complex grammar—even with minor mistakes—can still score well.
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