文档介绍:了 for completed actions
 
Exercises
          
Other terminology: aspectual particle "了"
 
1. When should I use it?
 
When you want to express that an action is completed. Normally 了 should be placed after main verbs or at the end of sentences.
tā
他
HE  
măi  le  
买  了  
BUY LE
sān     zhāng   piào
三      张       票
THREE  ZHANG  TICKETS
He has bought 3 tickets.
tā
bă jiŭ       ná  lái                le 
她
SHE 
把 酒      拿 来               了  
BA  WINE   TAKE (TOWARDS) LE
She has brought the wine.                  
 
2. When should I place the 了 at the end of a sentence, and when should I place it after the main verb of a sentence?
 
1.  If the object of a sentence is a simple one i.e. a noun, which is not attached to a number
and measure word, and not attached to a descriptive clause (的 clause), 了 can be placed at the end of the sentence. In this case the particle 了 has many functions: it may indicate the completed action, or a change of situation, it may also indicate an imminent action.
s.             v.     o.  le
wŏmen chī  fàn     le
我 们   吃  饭     了.
WE         EAT  MEAL LE
We have eaten.. [Completed action]
Now we are eating. (We didn't eat before.) [Change of situation]
We are about to eat. (我 们 要 吃 饭 了.)
 
3. Is it incorrect if I place 了 after the verb in a simple-object sentence?
 
No, it is not incorrect, but it seems as if the sentence is not yet finished. It may look like the first clause of the verb了...就...construction. For example (Also see pattern 5.),
tā   chī  le   fàn...      (jiù qù kàn diànyĭng)
他 吃  了 饭 ...      (就 去 看  电  影.)
HE  EAT  LE  MEAL...     (JIU GO  SEE   FILM)
After he finishes the meal...(he'll go to see a film.)
 
4. Can I place 了 at the end of a sentence that has a complex object? 
No. If the object of a sentence is a complicated one, i.e. it is preceded by a number word and measure word, or a descriptive clause, 了 is placed after the main verb of the sentence.
s.  v.  le    num.