我喝茶 and 他很忙 for Verb and Adjective Predicates
The predicate (谓语) says something about the subject: a verb phrase tells what the subject does, an adjective phrase describes it, and neither needs an extra “is.”
Pattern
subject + verb (+ object) / subject + 很 + adjective
A verb-predicate sentence is subject + verb (+ object): 我喝茶. An adjective can be the predicate by itself, with 很 and without 是: 他很忙.
他明天去北京。
When to use 我喝茶 and 他很忙 for Verb and Adjective Predicates
The predicate (谓语) is the part of the sentence that says something about the subject. At HSK 1 it is usually a verb or verb phrase (他来了, 我喝茶, 我想去北京) or an adjective or adjective phrase (今天很冷, 这个太贵了). A sentence whose predicate is a verb is a verb-predicate sentence (动词谓语句), the most common sentence type: subject + verb (+ object). An adjective predicate needs no 是 in front: 他很忙, not 他是忙. To make either one negative, put 不 (or 没 for actions that didn’t happen) right before it.
我喝茶。
I drink tea.
今天很冷。
It’s cold today.
这个苹果太贵了。
This apple is too expensive.
他来了。
He’s here.
Common traps
- Do not put 是 before an adjective: 他很忙, not 他是忙.
- A bare adjective predicate (他忙) sounds like a contrast; add 很 or another degree word for a plain statement.
- 不 or 没 goes right before the predicate: 我不喝茶, not 我喝不茶.
Targeted drill
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