ABSTRACT
Although not as common, a durational time phrase can also be used before either adverb cái or jiù, as in examples 31g-h. Durational time phrases refer to time-spent. In a sentence with cái or jiù, durational time indicates the length of time a prior action takes before the consequent second action occurs, i.e. the one that follows cái or jiù. Cái implies that the first action takes a longer time than expected, whereas jiù implies that the first action takes a shorter time than expected. The verb phrase representing the second action should come after the adverb cái or jiù.
