本文提議以一貫性的看法分析中文的「是」和「有」,主張這兩個詞語都具有及物和不及物的用法。及物用法的「是」屬於一種雙元述詞,與名詞組構成判斷句,表達名詞組之間的等同或類屬關係。不及物的「是」屬於一種准許主語提昇的助動詞,因主語的提昇或不提昇而分別形成不同面貌的分裂句。及物的「有」也是個雙元述詞,與兩個名詞組形成領屬句;而不及物的「有」則屬於一種准許主語提昇的助動詞,因主語的提昇或不提昇而分別形成存在句或完成句。
A unifying analysis is proposed for shi 'be' and you 'have' in Chinese according to which these elements are seen as having both a transitive and an intransitive use. The transitive shi is a two-place predicate that combines with arguments to form identificational or specificational copulative sentences. The intransitive shi is a raising auxilizry that subcategorizes for a clause. Various "cleft sentences" are formed with the intransitive shi depending on whether subject raising has taken place. The transitive you forms possessive sentences with two arguments. The intransitive you is again a raising auxiliary. Depending on whether subject rajsing takes place, this you gives rise to existential and perfective sentences.