动词 + 得 / 副词 + 动词【dòngcí + de / fùcí + dòngcí】

多, 少, 早, 晚, 快 and 慢 can go after the verb with 得 or in front of the verb. After the verb, they rate something that happened, or that happens as a rule. In front of it, they say how something should be done – in a request, an instruction or a plan.

Rating or asking

The same adjective on either side of the verb gives a pair like this:

A request can also put the adjective after the verb, with no 得: 请说慢一点儿. A statement about what happened can't put it in front.

• × 他很早来 → 他来得很早 (or 他很早就来了)
• × 他很多吃 → 他吃得很多

Skills and habits go after the verb

How well someone does something is rated with 得, even when English uses an adverb.

• × 他很好地说中文 → 他中文说得很好
• × 他跑很快 → 他跑得很快

地 before the verb

A two-syllable adjective in front of the verb usually takes 地, and describes the manner of one action as it happens. 得 after the verb rates the result. The 地 point covers the first use.