Time-Interval Complements
Learn Time-Interval Complements with practical HSK 3 examples, focus vocabulary, common pitfalls, and targeted cloze practice.
Pattern
verb + time since completion
Use this HSK 3 pattern to make sentence structure, scope, or emphasis explicit instead of relying on word-for-word English order.
我大学毕业三年了。
When to use Time-Interval Complements
Read verb + time since completion as a sentence tool, not just as vocabulary. First locate the main action or claim, then ask what 以后 adds to it.
下课以后我回家。
After class I go home.
吃饭以后他去散步。
After eating he goes for a walk.
毕业以后我想工作。
After graduating I want to work.
Common traps
- Do not translate verb + time since completion mechanically from English; check the Chinese word order first.
- Keep 以后 close to the part of the sentence it controls.
- Do not overuse the pattern in every sentence; use it when it adds a clear role.
Targeted drill
Practice this exact pattern before moving on.
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