<p>When studying Chinese, I've often found that there are <strong>different ways</strong> to say the <strong>same thing</strong>, for example using a verb with a <em>directional complement</em> rather than a verb with <em>resultative complement</em> or a <em>simple sentence structure</em>. </p>

<p>I was told that the choice (prefering a directional complement over a base sentence structure) is due to a <strong>change in focus</strong>, thus with a directional complement the main event within the sentence is a movement taking place.</p>

<p>So, if I have these sentences:</p>

<p>(说话人在上海)<br/>
1. 我妹妹到上海来了. [using the directional complement]<br/>
2. 我妹妹来上海了. [using the simple sentence structure]<br/>
3. 我妹妹来到上海. [using the resultative complement]<br/>
</p>

<p>Are there <strong>any differences</strong> between these three sentences?</p>

<p>Also, I was told that the third one is wrong, but why exactly is it? Couldn't it be interpreted as a <em>resultative complement</em> where 来 is the main verb and 到 indicates the result of arriving at a place?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<difference><sentence-structure><direction-complement>
Forming sentences with resultative and directional complements
# Forming sentences with resultative and directional complements

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-05-08)

When studying Chinese, I've often found that there are **different ways** to say the **same thing**, for example using a verb with a *directional complement* rather than a verb with *resultative complement* or a *simple sentence structure*.

I was told that the choice (prefering a directional complement over a base sentence structure) is due to a **change in focus**, thus with a directional complement the main event within the sentence is a movement taking place.

So, if I have these sentences:

(说话人在上海)  
1. 我妹妹到上海来了. [using the directional complement]  
2. 我妹妹来上海了. [using the simple sentence structure]  
3. 我妹妹来到上海. [using the resultative complement]

Are there **any differences** between these three sentences?

Also, I was told that the third one is wrong, but why exactly is it? Couldn't it be interpreted as a *resultative complement* where 来 is the main verb and 到 indicates the result of arriving at a place?

Thank you.

**Tags:** difference, sentence-structure, direction-complement

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## 0 answers

