Fixed Pattern A来A去 | HSK 5 Chinese Grammar Guide

Pattern

verb + 来 + verb + 去

Use this HSK 5 pattern to make sentence structure, scope, or emphasis explicit instead of relying on word-for-word English order.

我想来想去，还是决定去。

When to use Fixed Pattern A来A去

Read verb + 来 + verb + 去 as a sentence tool, not just as vocabulary. First locate the main action or claim, then ask what 想来想去 adds to it.

她想来想去还是拒绝了。

After thinking it over she still refused.

我想来想去决定留下。

After thinking it over I decided to stay.

Do not translate verb + 来 + verb + 去 mechanically from English; check the Chinese word order first.
Keep 想来想去 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.

Luyện đúng mẫu này trước khi chuyển sang phần khác.

我，还是决定去

After thinking it over, I decided to go

xiǎng lái xiǎng qù

Missing grammar piece

Nghĩa

think back and forth