Pivotal Sentences
A sentence where one person is both the object of the first verb and the subject of the second verb.
Pattern
Subject1 + Verb1 + Subject2/Object1 + Verb2 + Object2
Explanation
In a pivotal sentence, the object of the first verb simultaneously serves as the subject of the second verb. Common first verbs include 请, 让, 叫, 派, 命令, etc.
This structure is extremely common in Chinese and is used whenever one person causes, requests, or enables another person to do something. The pivot person connects two actions in a single sentence.
Examples
我请他吃饭。
Wǒ qǐng tā chī fàn.
I invited him to dinner.
他 is object of 请 and subject of 吃.
公司派他去上海出差。
Gōngsī pài tā qù Shànghǎi chūchāi.
The company sent him to Shanghai on a business trip.
妈妈叫我早点回家。
Māma jiào wǒ zǎo diǎn huí jiā.
Mom told me to come home early.
Common Mistakes
我请他他吃饭。
我请他吃饭。
Don't repeat the pivot person. They serve as both object and subject.
Related Grammar
Practice this grammar with AI
Use this grammar pattern in a real conversation with our AI tutor.
Start Practicing