ABSTRACT
The bk construction is a grammatical feature unique to the Chinese language. In this construction, the coverb bk, which as a verb has the meaning [to grasp], has the function of shifting the object of the verb to a pre-verbal position in the pattern of [subject + bk + object + verb]. Three interrelated features of the construction can be identiyed:
(1) As seen in 1.3.2, an unqualiyed object after the verb will generally be of indeynite reference. Employment of the coverb bk, which moves the object in front of the verb, automatically converts the noun to deynite reference:
!5 Wn qù (lit. I go buy book) I am going mki she. to buy a book/some books.
