Constraints on the Sentence-Completion Function of the “着(zhe)” Construction in Modern Chinese

This study focuses on the sentence-completion function of the aspect marker “着(zhe)” in Modern Chinese and aims to explore the multiple constraining factors and their synergistic mechanisms. While it is widely acknowledged that “着(zhe)” possesses a certain capacity to form complete sentences, the realization of this function is often constrained by various elements such as verb types, quantifier phrases, and descriptive components. Building upon fragmented insights from previous research on aspectual systems and cognitive grammar, this study integrates Reichenbach’s theory of “reference point” and the notion of “有界(bounded)/无界(unbounded)” to construct a more systematic analytical framework. Methodologically, a closed corpus of twelve essays by Shi Tiesheng—totaling over 160,000 characters—was compiled to ensure the representativeness of standard Mandarin and avoid the subjectivity of introspective judgments. The findings reveal that in mono-predicate structures with V+着(zhe), complex objects and descriptive adverbials play a key role in enabling sentence completeness. Spatially rich descriptions can compensate for the lack of temporal reference, thus anchoring the sentence to real-world contexts. In serial verb constructions, additional predicate elements establish temporal reference internally, enhancing the sentence’s independence. Consequently, the study argues that zhe constructions do not rely on overt temporal markers but instead achieve real-world anchoring through a cognitive mapping from spatial uniqueness to temporal uniqueness.