The aims of this paper is, on one hand, to verify the theory of clause as nucleus through the study and teaching of simple sentence patterns, and on the other hand, to examine the study and teaching of simple sentence patterns with the theory of clause as nucleus. The two aims are complementary to each other, i.e. we can corroborate the value of the theory of clause as nucleus and find a new approach to the study and teaching of simple sentence patterns. That will lead to the conclusion that the theory of clause as nucleus can serve as the theoretical basis for teaching Chinese grammar to foreign learners.
