Learn Hardcore Chinese: wǒ bǎ shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàngmian.

把 front-loads the object to show it is being acted on/affected. Pattern: Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + result/complement.
It highlights the outcome (here: the book ends up on the table).
With 把, you normally need a result/complement (location, resultative, potential, or a sentence-final 了). Saying just “我把书放” is incomplete.

Can I say this without 把? How?

Yes. Common alternatives:

我把书放在桌子上面。 (original, with 把)
我把书放在桌子上。 (shorter)
我在桌子上放书。 (sets the scene: “At the table, I put the book.”)
我放书在桌子上(面)。 (colloquial; acceptable)
To describe the resulting state: 书在桌子上(面)。 or 书在桌上，是我放的。 Using 把 emphasizes affecting the book; without 把, the emphasis is more neutral.

Why is 在 after 放? What is 在 doing?

Here 在 functions like a preposition “at/on/in,” introducing the final location as a complement to 放.
Together 放在 means “to place (something) at/in/on (somewhere).”
Contrast: 在 as a main verb means “to be at” (e.g., 书在桌子上 = “The book is on the table”).

What’s the difference between 放在 and 放到?

放在 + place emphasizes the resulting location/state (“put and it is at X”).
放到 + place emphasizes reaching the endpoint (“put to X,” completion/arrival).
Both are fine here: 我把书放在/放到桌子上(面). Don’t say “放到在…”.

Can I omit 在 and say “把书放桌子上面”?

In careful/standard speech, keep 在 (or use 到) after placement verbs like 放.
Dropping 在 (…放桌子上面) occurs colloquially but is less standard. Best practice: 放在/放到 + place.

What’s the difference between 上, 上面, 上边, and 桌上?

All mean “on (top of)” in this context. Nuances are small:
- 上 is concise and very common: 桌子上.
- 上面/上边 are slightly fuller; 面/边 add a “surface/side” feel.
- 桌上 is a compact, often slightly more written/formal variant.
All are fine: 桌子上(面) ≈ 桌上.

Where does 了 go if I want to say it already happened?

Natural options:
- Sentence-final: 我把书放在桌子上(面)了。
- After the verb phrase: 我把书放在了桌子上(面)。
Avoid: 我把书放了在桌子上(面) (ungrammatical).
Note: Chinese doesn’t mark past by tense; 了 marks completion/new state.

Does the object in a 把-sentence need to be specific/known?

Typically yes: the 把-object is definite or already identifiable.
Safer choices: 这本书/那本书/你的书.
Using an indefinite like 一本书 with 把 is possible but less typical unless further specified by the result/context.

Do I need a measure word with 书?

Is 桌子 “table” or “desk”?

桌子 is a general “table/desk” word; English chooses “table” vs “desk” by context.
If you need to be specific: 书桌 (desk), 餐桌 (dining table), 办公桌 (office desk).

How do I negate this or ask “where” with the same structure?

Negation (no completion implied): 我没(有)把书放在桌子上(面)。
“Where” question:
- Completed action (common): 你把书放在哪儿了？
- Neutral/planning: 你把书放在哪儿？

Can the location phrase come earlier in the sentence?

Yes, to set the scene:

我在桌子那边把书放在上面。 (action done by the table; endpoint is “on it”)
More commonly: 我在客厅把书放在桌子上(面)。 Placing time/place adverbials before 把 is natural when you want to frame the action.

What would a passive version look like? Is it natural?

Any pronunciation tips here?

把 bǎ (3rd), 放 fàng (4th), 在 zài (4th), 书 shū (1st), 我 wǒ (3rd).
桌子 zhuōzi: the 子 is neutral tone.
上面 shàngmian: the 面 is often neutral (can be miàn in careful speech).
Tone-sandhi: none special beyond these.

Are there close synonyms for 放 here?

摆 (bǎi) “arrange/place neatly”: 我把书摆在桌子上。
搁 (gē) (colloquial “put/place”): 我把书搁在桌子上。
放好 “put properly/in place”: 我把书放好在桌子上/把书放在桌子上放好 (first is better). All keep the same basic structure; nuances differ (neatness, casualness, completion).