A brief analysis of [V ge N] in Chinese: A construction grammar account

Abstract

The General classifier [ge] is normally located between a numeral and a noun. In a post-verbal position, ge is found to be used in some unusual positions, e.g. in compound verbs or between the verb and an adjective. Ge in this [V ge X] pattern has attracted much attention in Chinese linguistic research (Zhang, 2003; Lü, 1984; Biq, 2004). Most of the research focuses on the properties of ge, but the discussion about the [V ge X] pattern as a whole is limited. The main task of this research is to argue that the post-verbal ge and its context form a construction with a telic and bounded aspectual meaning within the framework of Construction Grammar. In addition, the omission of numeral - [yi] (one) in post-verbal NPs triggers the emergence of this construction.