HSK4 Grammar

与其……不如…… compares two choices and recommends B as the better option. A is usually less useful, less realistic, or less wise.

宁可……也不…… shows a strong choice: the speaker would rather accept A than do B. It often expresses principle, determination, or sacrifice.

既……又…… connects two qualities or actions that are both true. The two parts should be parallel and usually positive or neutral.

既不……也不…… connects two negative qualities or actions. It means neither A nor B is true.

不管……还是……都…… says the result stays the same across two or more alternatives. It is common in speech.

无论……还是……都…… expresses that the result is unchanged across alternatives. It is a little more formal than 不管.

只不过……而已 downplays something: “it is only just A, nothing more.” It often corrects exaggeration or reduces seriousness.

并不是……而是…… strongly corrects a wrong idea: “it is not A, but B.” 并 adds emphasis to the negation.

之所以……是因为…… highlights the reason behind a known result. A is the result/fact; B is the reason.

由于……因此…… gives a formal cause-effect relation. 由于 introduces the cause; 因此 introduces the result.

既然……那么…… starts from an accepted fact and draws a conclusion, decision, or suggestion. 那么 introduces the natural next step.

以免 introduces an unwanted result that should be avoided. It often follows a preventive action.

免得 introduces a negative result you want to prevent. It is common in spoken reminders and advice.

以便 introduces a convenient purpose or intended benefit. It is more formal than 为了 and often used in instructions.

从而 introduces a result or effect that follows from the previous action or situation. It is formal and logical.

进而 introduces a further step, deeper result, or higher-level development based on the previous clause.

由此可见 introduces a conclusion drawn from the previous facts. It is common in explanations, reports, and essays.

总之 introduces a concise summary or final conclusion after several points.

总而言之 introduces a formal summary or final judgment after discussion.

换句话说 introduces the same idea in a clearer, simpler, or different way.

也就是说 restates the previous information in a clearer or more direct way. It often introduces the real meaning or practical conclusion.

相反 introduces a directly opposite situation or viewpoint. It is often used after a negative expectation or contrast.

反而 introduces an unexpected opposite result. It often means “instead, contrary to what was expected.”

反倒 is close to 反而 and highlights an unexpected opposite result, often in spoken or expressive contexts.

然而 introduces a turn or contrast after the previous statement. It is more formal than 但是.

否则 introduces the bad or different result that will happen if the previous condition/action is not met.

否则的话 is a fuller form of 否则, often making the condition-result relation clearer in speech or explanation.

此外 adds another point, reason, or piece of information in a fairly formal way.

另外 adds another item, arrangement, or point. It is common in everyday speech and writing.

况且 adds a further reason, often making the argument stronger. It can imply “besides, even more importantly.”

何况 adds a stronger reason or more obvious case after the first statement. It often means “even A is true, let alone B.”

尤其是 highlights one item, group, or aspect from a larger set. It points out the most notable example.

甚至 introduces an extreme or surprising example that goes beyond what was just said.

连……也…… emphasizes an unexpected item. It shows that if even A is true, other cases are easier to imagine.

至于……则…… shifts to another related topic and gives a separate comment about it. It is formal and organized.

在……方面 limits the topic to a specific area or aspect before making a comment.

从……方面来看 states the angle or criterion used to judge something.

就……而言 limits a statement to a particular person, group, topic, or aspect. It is formal and common in writing.

在于 identifies the key reason, essence, or main point of something.

取决于 shows that one result or decision depends on a condition, factor, or choice.

Use 归根到底 to return to the deepest reason or the final conclusion after considering other details. It is close to “in the final analysis.”

Use 显然 when a conclusion is obvious from evidence. It often means “clearly” or “obviously.”

明显 means that a fact, change, or difference is easy to see. It can describe an obvious result or introduce an obvious statement.

未必 means “not necessarily.” Use it to say that a common assumption may be wrong.

不见得 means “not necessarily” or “not sure that.” It is common in spoken Chinese when gently disagreeing.

似乎 means “seems” or “appears to.” Use it when you have some evidence but are not completely sure.

看来 means “it seems” based on current evidence. It links what you observe with a likely conclusion.

据说 means “it is said” or “I heard that.” Use it when the source is indirect and you are not fully confirming the information.

据我所知 means “as far as I know.” Use it to give information while showing your knowledge may be limited.

Use 所谓 A，就是 B to define A in your own words. It often explains the real meaning behind a word or idea.

所谓的 means “so-called.” It introduces a name, label, or concept and can sound neutral, doubtful, or slightly critical depending on context.

作为 A 来说 means “speaking as A” or “from A’s point of view.” It sets the standpoint before giving an opinion.

凭 means “based on” or “by relying on.” It often points to the proof, ability, document, or condition that makes something possible.

靠 means “rely on” or “depend on.” Use it when something is achieved through a person, method, effort, or resource.

借助 means “with the help of.” It usually introduces a tool, support, technology, or outside help.

通过 A 来 B means “use A to do B” or “achieve B through A.” A is the method; B is the goal or result.

以 A 为基础 means “take A as the basis.” Use it when a plan, decision, discussion, or study is built on A.

以 A 为例 means “take A as an example.” Use it to make an explanation clearer with a specific case.

以 A 为主 means “mainly based on A” or “with A as the main part.” Use it for focus, content, or composition.

把 A 看成 B means “regard A as B.” A is the thing being interpreted, and B is the meaning or identity given to it.

把 A 看作 B means “regard A as B.” It emphasizes the speaker’s way of understanding or treating something.

把 A 称为 B means “call A B.” It is used when giving a name, title, or accepted label.

被认为 means “is considered” or “is thought to be.” It presents an opinion as a widely held or external judgement.

被称为 means “is called.” Use it when a person, place, or thing has a name, title, nickname, or public label.

使得 means “make” or “cause.” It connects a cause with the result it brings about.

导致 means “lead to” or “result in.” It is commonly used for negative consequences.

造成 means “cause” or “bring about.” It often introduces problems, damage, pressure, mistakes, or effects.

引起 means “arouse,” “attract,” or “cause.” It is often used with reactions such as 注意, 兴趣, 讨论, 误会, or 问题.

面对 means “face” or “when faced with.” It introduces the problem or situation before saying how someone responds.

关于 A 的看法 means “views on A.” Use it when asking for or describing opinions about a topic.

在 A 过程中 means “during the process of A.” Use it for something that happens while an action or process is developing.

在 A 情况下 means “under the condition/situation of A.” Use it to set the circumstances before the main action.

在 A 基础上 means “on the basis of A.” Use it when something is done by building on existing facts, experience, results, or work.

越是 A，越 B means “the more A, the more B.” It often stresses what should be done especially in a certain situation.

不是不 A，而是 B means “it is not that not A, but rather B.” Use it to clarify that the problem is not A, but another reason.

一旦 A，就 B means “once A happens, B follows.” It often stresses that B should happen immediately or definitely after A.