Conjunctions & conditions

Original teaching practice. Read one pattern, cover its model and try the questions before checking the separate answer section. Examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA) retain the course-reference provenance.

A or或者huò zhě B (or – in statements)

Either day is fine

• A friend wants to meet this weekend and asks which day suits you. Both are free.
• Saturday星期六xīng qī liùor或者huò zhěSunday星期天xīng qī tiānall / both都dōucan / may可以kě yǐ。 – "Saturday or Sunday are both fine."

A or或者huò zhě B (in statements)

• or或者huò zhě = "or" in statements, offers and suggestions: you你nǐcan / may可以kě yǐ坐地铁zuò dì tiěor或者huò zhěto take a taxi (in town)打车dǎ chē.
• It can join nouns, verbs or whole clauses.

you你nǐcan可以kě yǐtake坐zuòthe subway地铁dì tiěor或者huò zhětake a taxi打车dǎ chē。

Choices, alternatives, either-way

• you你nǐtomorrow明天míng tiānor或者huò zhěthe day after tomorrow后天hòu tiānto / for / give给gěiI / me我wǒto make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà(suggestion)吧ba。 – "Call me tomorrow or the day after."
• weekend周末zhōu mòI / me我wǒoften常常cháng chángto read看书kàn shū，or或者huò zhěto go去qùpark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuánto take a walk散步sàn bù。 – "At weekends I often read, or go for a walk in the park."

at weekends周末zhōu mòI我wǒoften常常cháng chángread看书kàn shū，or或者huò zhěgo to去qùthe park公园gōng yuánwalk散步sàn bù。

Not for questions

• To ask "A or B?", use or / still还是hái shì: you你nǐto drink tea喝茶hē cháor / still还是hái shìcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi？, not you你nǐto drink tea喝茶hē cháor或者huò zhěcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi？
• or或者huò zhě does not mean "and": I / me我wǒto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了leapple苹果píng guǒand / with和hébanana香蕉xiāng jiāo (both), not apple苹果píng guǒor或者huò zhěbanana香蕉xiāng jiāo.

or或者huò zhě…or或者huò zhě…

• Repeated, it lists alternatives: or或者huò zhěyou你nǐto come来lái，or或者huò zhěI / me我wǒto go去qù，都行dōu xíng。 – "Either you come or I go – either is fine."
• also也yěcan / may可以kě yǐ often follows: 坐火车zuò huǒ chēalso也yěcan / may可以kě yǐ.

either或者huò zhěyou你nǐcome来lái，or或者huò zhěI我wǒgo去qù。

Recap

• A or或者huò zhě B = A or B in statements and suggestions; or或者huò zhě…or或者huò zhě… = either … or ….
• Questions use or / still还是hái shì; "and" is and / with和hé.

Practise this pattern step by step.

like that那么nà me … (then / in that case)

The cinema is full

• A friend says the cinema is fully booked tonight. You quickly suggest another plan.
• like that那么nà me，we / us我们wǒ mentomorrow明天míng tiānto go去qù(suggestion)吧ba。 – "In that case, let's go tomorrow."

like that那么nà me / that那nà = "then, in that case"

• At the start of a reply, like that那么nà me (spoken: that那nà) draws a conclusion from what was just said.
• It often leads to a suggestion or a question: that那nàyou你nǐto plan打算dǎ suànwhat's to be done怎么办zěn me bàn？

then那nàyou你nǐplan打算dǎ suànwhat to do怎么办zěn me bàn？

In conversation

• A: I / me我wǒnot不bùtoo太tàito be hungry饿è。 B: that那nàwe / us我们wǒ men喝杯hē bēi咖啡吧kā fēi ba。 – "Then let's just have a coffee."
• After if如果rú guǒ: if如果rú guǒyou你nǐnot不bùto like喜欢xǐ huan，like that那么nà methen / just就jiùto exchange换huàn一个yí gè(suggestion)吧ba。 – "If you don't like it, then change it."

if如果rú guǒyou你nǐdon't不bùlike喜欢xǐ huan，then那么nà me(then)就jiùchange换huànone一个yí gè吧ba。

Two different like that那么nà me

• At the start of a clause, like that那么nà me = "then, in that case".
• Before an adjective, like that那么nà me = "so": like that那么nà meexpensive贵guì. Check its position.

like that那么nà me versus so / therefore所以suǒ yǐ

• so / therefore所以suǒ yǐ gives a result of a cause: to rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le，so / therefore所以suǒ yǐI / me我wǒnot / haven't没méito go去qù.
• like that那么nà me responds to what someone else said, often with a suggestion: A: to rain下雨xià yǔ(completed / change)了le。 B: like that那么nà mewe / us我们wǒ men别去了bié qù le。

rain下雨xià yǔ了le，so所以suǒ yǐI我wǒdidn't没méigo去qù。

Recap

• like that那么nà me / that那nà, … = then, in that case; it reacts to what was just said.
• if如果rú guǒ…，like that那么nà me(then / just就jiù)… is common. like that那么nà me + Adj = so.

Practise this pattern step by step.

with / and跟gēn + Person + Verb (with someone)

Who are you going with?

• Your mum asks about your plans for the holiday.
• I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnfriend朋友péng yǒuin the same place一起yì qǐto go去qùYunnan province in…云南yún nán。 – "I'm going to Yunnan with friends."

Subject + with / and跟gēn + Person + (in the same place一起yì qǐ) + Verb

• with / and跟gēn + person = "with", placed before the verb. in the same place一起yì qǐ (together) often follows: with / and跟gēnhe / him他tāin the same place一起yì qǐto have a meal吃饭chī fàn.
• and / with和hé works the same way: I / me我wǒand / with和héto study at the same school同学tóng xuéin the same place一起yì qǐto learn学习xué xí.

I我wǒwith跟gēnfriends朋友péng youtogether一起yì qǐgo to去qùYunnan云南Yún nán。

Talking to someone

• with / and跟gēn also marks who you talk to: I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngwith / and跟gēnyou你nǐvariant of 说说shuō一件yī jiànmatter事shì。 – "I want to tell you something."
• you你nǐwith / and跟gēnteacher老师lǎo shīvariant of 说说shuō(completed / change)了le(yes/no ?)吗ma？ – "Have you told the teacher?"

I我wǒwant想xiǎngto跟gēnyou你nǐtell说shuōsomething一件事yí jiàn shì。

with / and跟gēn goes before the verb

• "With friends" comes before the verb: with / and跟gēnfriend朋友péng yǒuto go去qù, not to go去qùwith / and跟gēnfriend朋友péng yǒu (unless with / and跟gēn means "and" between two nouns).
• Put not不bù or not / haven't没méi before with / and跟gēn: I / me我wǒnot不bùwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāto go去qù – "I won't go with him" – not I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tānot不bùto go去qù.

with / and跟gēn as "and"

• Between two nouns, with / and跟gēn = "and": I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāall / both都dōuto be / is是shìstudent学生xué shēng – "He and I are both students."
• Before a verb phrase, with / and跟gēn + person = "with".

I我wǒand跟gēnhe他tāboth都dōuare是shìstudents学生xué sheng。

Recap

• with / and跟gēn + person + (in the same place一起yì qǐ) + Verb = do it with someone; with / and跟gēn + person + variant of 说说shuō = tell someone.
• with / and跟gēn comes before the verb; negatives go before with / and跟gēn. Between nouns, with / and跟gēn = and.

Practise this pattern step by step.

A or / still还是hái shì B? (or – in questions)

Tea or coffee?

• A waiter asks what you would like to drink.
• you (polite)您nínto drink tea喝茶hē cháor / still还是hái shì喝咖啡hē kā fēi？ – "Would you like tea or coffee?"

A or / still还是hái shì B？ (choice question)

• A or / still还是hái shì B? asks someone to choose; no (yes/no ?)吗ma is needed.
• It can join nouns, verbs or clauses: you你nǐtoday今天jīn tiānto go去qùor / still还是hái shìtomorrow明天míng tiānto go去qù？

you你nǐtoday今天jīn tiāngo去qùor还是hái shitomorrow明天míng tiāngo去qù？

to be / is是shì…or / still还是hái shì…

• With to be / is是shì: you你nǐto be / is是shìteacher老师lǎo shīor / still还是hái shìstudent学生xué shēng？ – "Are you a teacher or a student?"
• we / us我们wǒ men坐地铁zuò dì tiěor / still还是hái shìto take a taxi (in town)打车dǎ chē？ – "Shall we take the subway or a taxi?"

you你nǐare是shìa teacher老师lǎo shīor还是hái shia student学生xué sheng？

No (yes/no ?)吗ma with or / still还是hái shì

• or / still还是hái shì already makes a question: you你nǐto drink tea喝茶hē cháor / still还是hái shìcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi？, not you你nǐto drink tea喝茶hē cháor / still还是hái shìcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• In a statement, "or" is or或者huò zhě: tea茶cháor或者huò zhěcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēiall / both都dōucan / may可以kě yǐ.

or / still还是hái shì in "I don't know whether …"

• After not不bùto know知道zhī dào or to decide (to do something)决定jué dìng, or / still还是hái shì keeps its "whether … or" meaning: I / me我wǒnot不bùto know知道zhī dào他来tā láior / still还是hái shìnot不bùto come来lái。 – "I don't know whether he's coming or not."
• or / still还是hái shì can also mean "had better": or / still还是hái shìto walk走zǒu(suggestion)吧ba – "We'd better go."

I我wǒdon't不bùknow知道zhī dàohe他tācomes来láior还是hái shinot不bùcome来lái。

Recap

• A or / still还是hái shì B？ = A or B? (a choice question, no (yes/no ?)吗ma).
• In statements use or或者huò zhě; not不bùto know知道zhī dào A or / still还是hái shì B = don't know whether A or B.

Practise this pattern step by step.

pertaining to关于guān yú + Topic (about / regarding)

A book about China

• In the library you find a book that explains Chinese history for beginners.
• 这是zhè shì一本yī běnpertaining to关于guān yúChina中国zhōng guóhistory历史lì shǐ(modifier / structural particle)的debook书shū。 – "This is a book about Chinese history."

pertaining to关于guān yú + topic

• pertaining to关于guān yú + topic = "about, regarding". Before a noun it takes (modifier / structural particle)的de: pertaining to关于guān yúChina中国zhōng guó(modifier / structural particle)的debook书shū.
• At the start of a sentence it introduces the topic: pertaining to关于guān yúthis这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí，we / us我们wǒ mentomorrow明天míng tiānagain / then再zàito discuss讨论tǎo lùn.

about关于guān yúthis这个zhè gequestion问题wèn tí，we我们wǒ mentomorrow明天míng tiānthen再zàidiscuss讨论tǎo lùn。

Topics of talks, books and news

• I / me我wǒto see看kàn(completed / change)了le一个yí gèpertaining to关于guān yúpanda熊猫xióng māo(modifier / structural particle)的deprogram节目jié mù。 – "I watched a programme about pandas."
• pertaining to关于guān yúto take an exam考试kǎo shì(modifier / structural particle)的de(concept of) time时间shí jiān，teacher老师lǎo shīstill / also还háinot / haven't没méivariant of 说说shuō。 – "The teacher hasn't said anything yet about the exam time."

I我wǒwatched看kàn了lea一个yí gèabout关于guān yúpandas熊猫xióng māo的deprogramme节目jié mù。

Placement

• A pertaining to关于guān yú phrase describing a noun needs (modifier / structural particle)的de: pertaining to关于guān yúChina中国zhōng guó(modifier / structural particle)的debook书shū, not pertaining to关于guān yúChina中国zhōng guóbook书shū.
• As a topic, pertaining to关于guān yú… comes first, before the subject: pertaining to关于guān yú这件zhè jiànmatter事shì，I / me我wǒnot不bùto know知道zhī dào, not I / me我wǒpertaining to关于guān yú这件zhè jiànmatter事shìnot不bùto know知道zhī dào.

pertaining to关于guān yú versus to / towards / correct对duì

• pertaining to关于guān yú introduces a topic: pertaining to关于guān yúenvironment环境huán jìng(modifier / structural particle)的dearticle文章wén zhāng – "an article about the environment".
• to / towards / correct对duì shows the target of an attitude: he / him他tāto / towards / correct对duìChina中国zhōng guóculture文化wén huà很感兴趣hěn gǎn xìng qù – "He's very interested in Chinese culture."

he他tāin对duìChinese中国Zhōng guóculture文化wén huàvery很hěninterested感兴趣gǎn xìng qù。

Recap

• pertaining to关于guān yú + topic (+ (modifier / structural particle)的de + noun) = about …; as a topic marker it starts the sentence.
• to / towards / correct对duì marks the target of feelings (to / towards / correct对duì…to be interested感兴趣gǎn xìng qù), not the topic of a book or talk.

Practise this pattern step by step.

until直到zhí dào … ，… only then / not until才cái … (all the way until)

Waiting until midnight

• You stayed up for your sister's flight to land; she only messaged you at midnight.
• I / me我wǒall along一直yì zhíto wait until等到děng dào十二点shí èr diǎn，she / her她tāonly then / not until才cái给我发gěi wǒ fānews消息xiāo xī。 – "I waited right up until twelve before she messaged me."

until直到zhí dào + time / event，… only then / not until才cái …

• until直到zhí dào + time/event = "right up until"; the result follows with only then / not until才cái: something happened only then.
• until直到zhí dào often comes first: until直到zhí dàoyesterday昨天zuó tiān，I / me我wǒonly then / not until才cáito know知道zhī dào这件zhè jiànmatter事shì.

not until直到zhí dàoyesterday昨天zuó tiān，I我wǒonly then才cáiknew知道zhī dàothis这件事zhè jiàn shì。

Late discoveries and long waits

• until直到zhí dàograduation毕业bì yè，he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáiclear明白míng báiteacher老师lǎo shīif (coming after a…的话de huà。 – "It wasn't until he graduated that he understood what the teacher meant."
• With all along一直yì zhí…to / arrive到dào: (literary) to rain雨yǔall along一直yì zhídown下xiàto / arrive到dàoevening晚上wǎn shàng。 – "The rain kept falling until the evening."

the rain雨yǔcontinuously一直yì zhífall下xiàuntil到dàothe evening晚上wǎn shang。

Use only then / not until才cái for the delayed result

• The result clause takes only then / not until才cái (it was late): until直到zhí dào十点shí diǎnhe / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito come来lái, not until直到zhí dào十点shí diǎnhe / him他tāthen / just就jiùto come来lái(completed / change)了le.
• This short result model uses only then / not until才cáito know知道zhī dào. Do not infer from it that (completed / change)了le is impossible in all other only then / not until才cái constructions.

until直到zhí dào versus to / arrive到dào

• to / arrive到dào alone after a verb gives the end point: we / us我们wǒ menTaiwan pr.玩wánto / arrive到dào十点shí diǎn – "We played until ten."
• until直到zhí dào stresses how long it took before something finally happened.

we我们wǒ menplay玩wánuntil到dàoten o'clock十点shí diǎn。

Recap

• until直到zhí dào + time/event，Subject + only then / not until才cái + Verb = not until then did …
• only then / not until才cái highlights the delayed result in this model. Verb + to / arrive到dào + time gives an endpoint; (completed / change)了le is not universally banned with only then / not until才cái.

Practise this pattern step by step.

towards向xiàng + Direction / Person + Verb (towards)

Which way?

• You are lost in an old town, and a shopkeeper points down the street.
• you你nǐ向前走xiàng qián zǒu，then / after然后rán hòutowards向xiàng(bound form) right右yòuvariant of 拐拐guǎi。 – "Walk forward, then turn right."

towards向xiàng + direction / person + Verb

• towards向xiàng + direction = towards: 向前走xiàng qián zǒu, towards向xiàngleft左zuǒvariant of 拐拐guǎi, 向东开xiàng dōng kāi.
• towards向xiàng + person = to, towards someone: towards向xiàngteacher老师lǎo shīto say hello to问好wèn hǎo – "say hello to the teacher".

towards向xiàngthe left左zuǒturn拐guǎi。

Actions aimed at people

• I / me我wǒtowards向xiànghe / him他tāvariant of 借借jiè(completed / change)了leone / a一yī本书běn shū。 – "I borrowed a book from him."
• we / us我们wǒ menshould应该yīng gāitowards向xiàngshe / her她tāto learn学习xué xí。 – "We should learn from her."

we我们wǒ menshould应该yīng gāifrom向xiàngher她tālearn学习xué xí。

towards向xiàng goes before the verb

• Put towards向xiàng + direction before the verb: towards向xiàng(bound form) right右yòuvariant of 拐拐guǎi, not variant of 拐拐guǎitowards向xiàng(bound form) right右yòu in everyday directions.
• "Borrow from someone" is towards向xiàng + person + variant of 借借jiè, not 借向jiè xiàng + person.

towards向xiàng versus towards往wǎng

• towards往wǎng also means "towards" for movement: 往前走wǎng qián zǒu, towards往wǎngleft左zuǒvariant of 拐拐guǎi. In directions the two are interchangeable.
• Only towards向xiàng works with people: towards向xiànghe / him他tāto apologize道歉dào qiàn – "apologise to him", not towards往wǎnghe / him他tāto apologize道歉dào qiàn.

I我wǒto向xiànghim他tāapologise道歉dào qiàn。

Recap

• towards向xiàng + direction + Verb = towards (向前走xiàng qián zǒu); towards向xiàng + person + Verb = to/from someone (towards向xiànghe / him他tāvariant of 借借jiè, towards向xiàngshe / her她tāto learn学习xué xí).
• towards往wǎng = towards in directions only; people take towards向xiàng.

Practise this pattern step by step.

if only只要zhǐ yào … ，then / just就jiù … (as long as)

If the weather holds

• A friend is worried about tomorrow's picnic. You only need one thing to go right.
• if only只要zhǐ yào不下雨bù xià yǔ，we / us我们wǒ menthen / just就jiùto go去qùpicnic野餐yě cān。 – "As long as it doesn't rain, we'll go on the picnic."

if only只要zhǐ yào + condition，then / just就jiù + result

• if only只要zhǐ yào A，then / just就jiù B = "as long as A, then B": A is enough for B to happen.
• if only只要zhǐ yào opens the first clause; then / just就jiù comes after the subject of the second.

as long as只要zhǐ yàoyou你nǐwork hard努力nǔ lì，then就jiùcan能nénglearn well学好xué hǎo。

Encouragement and easy conditions

• if only只要zhǐ yàoevery day每天měi tiānto practice练习liàn xí，you你nǐ(modifier / structural particle)的deChinese language中文zhōng wénthen / just就jiùcan / will会huìmore and more越来越yuè lái yuègood好hǎo。 – "As long as you practise every day, your Chinese will keep improving."
• if only只要zhǐ yàoto have / there is有yǒu(concept of) time时间shí jiān，I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùto go去qùto see看kànyou你nǐ。 – "Whenever I have time, I'll come and see you."

as long as只要zhǐ yàohave有yǒutime时间shí jiān，I我wǒthen就jiùgo去qùsee看kànyou你nǐ。

then / just就jiù after the subject

• Put then / just就jiù after the subject of the second clause: if only只要zhǐ yàoyou你nǐto come来lái，I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùhappy高兴gāo xìng, not then / just就jiùI / me我wǒhappy高兴gāo xìng.
• if only只要zhǐ yào means the condition is enough; for "only if" (a necessary condition), use only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu…only then / not until才cái….

if only只要zhǐ yào…then / just就jiù versus only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu…only then / not until才cái

• if only只要zhǐ yào A then / just就jiù B: A is sufficient, it is easy: if only只要zhǐ yàowell-off有钱yǒu qiánthen / just就jiùcan / be able to能néngto buy买mǎi.
• only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu A only then / not until才cái B: A is the only way: only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuto make an effort努力nǔ lì，talent才能cái néngsuccess成功chéng gōng。 – "Only through hard work can you succeed."

only if只有zhǐ yǒuwork hard努力nǔ lì，only then才cáican能néngsucceed成功chéng gōng。

Recap

• if only只要zhǐ yào A，(Subject) then / just就jiù B = as long as A, then B (A is enough).
• then / just就jiù follows the subject. A necessary condition uses only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu…only then / not until才cái….

Practise this pattern step by step.

… ，only then / not until才cái … (only then / only after)

Only after you finish

• Your parents have one rule about screen time on school nights.
• you你nǐ做完作业zuò wán zuò yè，talent才能cái néng玩游戏wán yóu xì。 – "You can only play games after you finish your homework."

Condition，Subject + only then / not until才cái + Verb

• A，only then / not until才cái B = "only after / only if A, B": B depends on A happening first.
• only then / not until才cái follows the subject of the second clause and often goes with can / be able to能néng or can / will会huì: talent才能cái néng, only then / not until才cáican / will会huì.

you你nǐfinish做完zuò wánhomework作业zuò yè，only then才cáican能néngplay玩wángames游戏yóu xì。

Effort before a result

• you你nǐmany多duōvariant of 说说shuō，talent才能cái néngto come to an agreement说好shuō hǎo。 – "Only by speaking a lot will you speak well."
• I / me我wǒto ask问wèn(completed / change)了lehe / him他tāthird三次sān cì，he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito tell告诉gào sùI / me我wǒ。 – "I asked him three times before he told me."

I我wǒasked问wèn了lehim他tāthree times三次sān cì，he他tāonly then才cáitold告诉gào sume我wǒ。

Place only then / not until才cái before the result predicate

• Put only then / not until才cái after the subject of the result: he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito tell告诉gào sùI / me我wǒ, not only then / not until才cáihe / him他tāto tell告诉gào sùI / me我wǒ.
• The simple result model here is he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito tell告诉gào sùI / me我wǒ. Other contexts can allow (completed / change)了le; the whole construction matters.

Stronger with only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu

• Adding only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu explicitly makes this a necessary condition: only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu做完作业zuò wán zuò yè，talent才能cái néng玩游戏wán yóu xì。
• Without only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu, …only then / not until才cái… still implies the condition must come first.

only if只有zhǐ yǒufinish做完zuò wánhomework作业zuò yè，only then才cáican能néngplay玩wán。

Recap

• A，Subject + only then / not until才cái (can / be able to能néng/can / will会huì) + B = only after / only if A, B.
• only then / not until才cái follows the subject in this frame; only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu makes the condition necessary, without guaranteeing the result by itself.

Practise this pattern step by step.

only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu … ，only then / not until才cái … (only if)

The only way in

• The building door needs a code, and only residents know it.
• only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuto know知道zhī dàocipher密码mì mǎ，talent才能cái néngto go in进去jìn qù。 – "Only if you know the code can you get in."

only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu A，only then / not until才cái B

• only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu A，only then / not until才cái B = "only if A, (then) B": A is the one and only condition.
• only then / not until才cái goes after the subject of the second clause, often with can / be able to能néng or can / will会huì.

only if只有zhǐ yǒua lot多duōpractise练习liàn xí，only then才cáican能néngspeak well说好shuō hǎo。

Only this person, only this way

• With a person: only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuhe / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito know知道zhī dàoanswer答案dá àn。 – "Only he knows the answer."
• With a method: only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu坐飞机zuò fēi jī，talent才能cái néngtoday今天jīn tiānto / arrive到dào。 – "Only by flying can we arrive today."

only只有zhǐ yǒuhe他tā(then)才cáiknows知道zhī dàothe answer答案dá àn。

only then / not until才cái, not then / just就jiù

• Pair only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu with only then / not until才cái: only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuyou你nǐto go去qù，he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáican / will会huìto go去qù, not only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuyou你nǐto go去qù，he / him他tāthen / just就jiùcan / will会huìto go去qù.
• Put only then / not until才cái after the subject: he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáican / will会huìto go去qù, not only then / not until才cáihe / him他tācan / will会huìto go去qù.

only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu…only then / not until才cái versus if only只要zhǐ yào…then / just就jiù

• only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu A only then / not until才cái B: A is necessary – no A, no B.
• if only只要zhǐ yào A then / just就jiù B: A is enough – easy: if only只要zhǐ yàoto have / there is有yǒupassport护照hù zhào，then / just就jiùcan / be able to能néngto buy tickets买票mǎi piào。 – "All you need is a passport to buy a ticket."

as long as只要zhǐ yàohave有yǒua passport护照hù zhào，then就jiùcan能néngbuy a ticket买票mǎi piào。

Recap

• only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu A，only then / not until才cái B = only if A, B (A is necessary).
• if only只要zhǐ yào A，then / just就jiù B = as long as A, B (A is enough). only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu pairs with only then / not until才cái, if only只要zhǐ yào with then / just就jiù.

Practise this pattern step by step.

besides除了chú le … all / both都dōu / still / also还hái (except / besides)

Everyone except me

• Your whole class went to the concert, but you were ill at home.
• besides除了chú leI / me我wǒ，everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuto go去qù(completed / change)了le。 – "Everyone went except me."

besides除了chú le A (apart from以外yǐ wài)，all / both都dōu … = except A

• besides除了chú le A，(B) all / both都dōu … = "except for A, all …": A is left out of the group.
• apart from以外yǐ wài can follow A: besides除了chú leI / me我wǒapart from以外yǐ wài. The all / both都dōu is needed in this meaning.

except除了chú leSunday星期天xīng qī tiān，I我wǒevery day每天měi tiānall都dōuwork上班shàng bān。

besides除了chú le A，still / also还hái / also也yě … = besides A

• besides除了chú le A，still / also还hái B = "besides A, also B": A is included and more is added.
• besides除了chú leChinese language中文zhōng wén，he / him他tāstill / also还háican / will会huìvariant of 说说shuōJapanese language日语rì yǔ。 – "Besides Chinese, he can also speak Japanese."

besides除了chú leChinese中文Zhōng wén，he他tāalso还háican会huìspeak说shuōJapanese日语Rì yǔ。

all / both都dōu excludes, still / also还hái adds

• besides除了chú leI / me我wǒ，everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuto go去qù(completed / change)了le = I did not go. besides除了chú leI / me我wǒ，small小xiǎoplum李lǐalso也yěto go去qù(completed / change)了le = Xiao Li went as well as me.
• Put all / both都dōu / still / also还hái / also也yě after the subject of the second clause: everyone大家dà jiāall / both都dōuto go去qù(completed / change)了le, not all / both都dōueveryone大家dà jiāto go去qù(completed / change)了le.

With a verb phrase

• besides除了chú le can take an action: weekend周末zhōu mòbesides除了chú leto read看书kàn shū，I / me我wǒstill / also还háito like喜欢xǐ huanto run跑步pǎo bù。 – "At weekends, besides reading, I also like running."
• he / him他tābesides除了chú levariant of 吃吃chīexactly就是jiù shìto sleep睡shuì。 – "All he does is eat and sleep." (except eating, it is sleeping)

he他tāapart from除了chú leeating吃chīit's just就是jiù shìsleeping睡shuì。

Recap

• besides除了chú le A (apart from以外yǐ wài)，all / both都dōu … = except A (A is left out).
• besides除了chú le A (apart from以外yǐ wài)，still / also还hái / also也yě … = besides A (A plus more).

Practise this pattern step by step.

if如果rú guǒ … if (coming after a…的话de huà (if …)

A trip that depends on the weather

• You are planning a trip to the Great Wall but the forecast is uncertain.
• if如果rú guǒtomorrow明天míng tiānto rain下雨xià yǔif (coming after a…的话de huà，we / us我们wǒ menthen / just就jiùto be at home在家zài jiāto see看kànmovie电影diàn yǐng。 – "If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay home and watch a film."

if如果rú guǒ + condition + if (coming after a…的话de huà

• if如果rú guǒ…if (coming after a…的话de huà = "if …". if (coming after a…的话de huà closes the condition; either word may be dropped in speech.
• if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ, to rain下雨xià yǔif (coming after a…的话de huà, if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔif (coming after a…的话de huà all mean "if it rains".

rain下雨xià yǔif的话de huà，I我wǒthen就jiùnot不búgo去qù了le。

Offers and advice

• you你nǐto have / there is有yǒuquestion问题wèn tíif (coming after a…的话de huà，can / may可以kě yǐto ask问wènI / me我wǒ。 – "If you have any questions, you can ask me."
• if如果rú guǒyou你nǐrope累lèi(completed / change)了leif (coming after a…的话de huà，then / just就jiùrest休息xiū xī(used after a verb) give it…一下yī xià。 – "If you're tired, have a rest."

you你nǐhave有yǒuquestions问题wèn tíif的话de huà，can可以kě yǐask问wènme我wǒ。

The condition comes first

• Put the if如果rú guǒ clause before the result: if如果rú guǒyou你nǐto have / there is有yǒu(concept of) time时间shí jiān，to come来láito try to find找zhǎoI / me我wǒ, not to come来láito try to find找zhǎoI / me我wǒif如果rú guǒyou你nǐto have / there is有yǒu(concept of) time时间shí jiān (English order).
• if (coming after a…的话de huà goes at the end of the condition, not after the result.

if要是yào shi in speech

• if要是yào shi is a spoken "if": if要是yào shiyou你nǐunexpectedly不想bù xiǎngto go去qùif (coming after a…的话de huà，then / just就jiù别去了bié qù le。
• It works with if (coming after a…的话de huà and then / just就jiù exactly like if如果rú guǒ.

if要是yào shiyou你nǐdon't不bùwant to想xiǎnggo去qù，then就jiùdon't别biégo去qù了le。

Recap

• if如果rú guǒ / if要是yào shi … (if (coming after a…的话de huà)，(then / just就jiù) … = if …, then …; either if如果rú guǒ or if (coming after a…的话de huà may be dropped.
• The condition comes first, if (coming after a…的话de huà closes it.

Practise this pattern step by step.

if如果rú guǒ … ，then / just就jiù … (if …, then …)

If the tickets are cheap

• You and a friend are checking flights for the holiday.
• if如果rú guǒair ticket机票jī piàocheap便宜pián yi，we / us我们wǒ menthen / just就jiùto go去qùHainan Province, in the…海南hǎi nán。 – "If the plane tickets are cheap, we'll go to Hainan."

if如果rú guǒ A，(Subject) then / just就jiù B

• if如果rú guǒ A，then / just就jiù B = "if A, then B". then / just就jiù links the result to the condition.
• then / just就jiù goes after the subject of the result clause: if如果rú guǒyou你nǐto come来lái，I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùdegree / adjective linker很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng.

if如果rú guǒyou你nǐcome来lái，I我wǒthen就jiùvery很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng。

Plans, warnings, advice

• Warning: if如果rú guǒyou你nǐnot不bùerhua variant of 快点快点儿kuài diǎn ér，then / just就jiùcan / will会huìto arrive late迟到chí dào。 – "If you don't hurry, you'll be late."
• Advice: if如果rú guǒyou你nǐnot不bùcomfortable舒服shū fú，then / just就jiùto go去qùto see看kàndoctor医生yī shēng(suggestion)吧ba。 – "If you're not well, go and see a doctor."

if如果rú guǒyou你nǐdon't不bùhurry快kuàia bit点儿diǎnr，then就jiùwill会huìbe late迟到chí dào。

then / just就jiù after the subject

• Subject first, then then / just就jiù: I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùto go去qù, not then / just就jiùI / me我wǒto go去qù.
• Do not use so / therefore所以suǒ yǐ for "then" after if如果rú guǒ: if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ，I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùnot不bùto go去qù, not if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ，so / therefore所以suǒ yǐI / me我wǒnot不bùto go去qù.

if如果rú guǒ versus because因为yīn wèi

• if如果rú guǒ is a possibility that may or may not happen: if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ，I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùnot不bùto go去qù.
• because因为yīn wèi is a fact that already holds: because因为yīn wèito rain下雨xià yǔ，so / therefore所以suǒ yǐI / me我wǒnot / haven't没méito go去qù.

because因为yīn wèiit rained下雨xià yǔ，so所以suǒ yǐI我wǒdidn't没méigo去qù。

Recap

• if如果rú guǒ A，Subject + then / just就jiù + B = if A, then B.
• then / just就jiù follows the subject; if如果rú guǒ pairs with then / just就jiù, because因为yīn wèi with so / therefore所以suǒ yǐ.

Practise this pattern step by step.

not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn … ，moreover而且ér qiě … (not only … but also)

Not only cheap

• You are recommending a new restaurant to a friend who is hard to please.
• 这家zhè jiārestaurant饭馆fàn guǎnnot only (... but also ...)不但bù dàncheap便宜pián yi，moreover而且ér qiědegree / adjective linker很hěnto be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī。 – "This restaurant isn't only cheap, it's also delicious."

not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn A，moreover而且ér qiě B

• not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn A，moreover而且ér qiě B = "not only A, but also B": B adds a further, often stronger, point.
• moreover而且ér qiě can be followed by still / also还hái or also也yě: moreover而且ér qiěstill / also还háidegree / adjective linker很hěnto be fond of eating好吃hǎo chī.

she她tānot only不但bú dàncan会huìsing唱歌chàng gē，but also而且ér qiěcan会huìdance跳舞tiào wǔ。

One subject or two

• Same subject: subject first, then not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn: he / him他tānot only (... but also ...)不但bù dànintelligent聪明cōng míng，moreover而且ér qiědegree / adjective linker很hěnto make an effort努力nǔ lì。 – "He's not only clever but also hard-working."
• Different subjects: not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn before the first subject: not only (... but also ...)不但bù dànI / me我wǒto like喜欢xǐ huan，moreover而且ér qiěI / me我wǒfriend朋友péng yǒualso也yěto like喜欢xǐ huan。 – "Not only do I like it, my friend does too."

not only不但bú dànI我wǒlike it喜欢xǐ huan，but also而且ér qiěmy我wǒfriend朋友péng youtoo也yělikes it喜欢xǐ huan。

Where not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn goes

• One subject: he / him他tānot only (... but also ...)不但bù dànintelligent聪明cōng míng, not not only (... but also ...)不但bù dànhe / him他tāintelligent聪明cōng míng.
• Two subjects: not only (... but also ...)不但bù dànI / me我wǒto like喜欢xǐ huan，moreover而且ér qiěhe / him他tāalso也yěto like喜欢xǐ huan – not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn goes before the first subject.

moreover而且ér qiě alone, and not just不仅bù jǐn

• moreover而且ér qiě can stand alone to add a point: weather天气tiān qìdegree / adjective linker很hěncold冷lěng，moreover而且ér qiěto snow下雪xià xuě(completed / change)了le – "It's cold, and it's snowing too."
• not just不仅bù jǐn is a more written synonym of not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn: not just不仅bù jǐn…moreover而且ér qiě….

the weather天气tiān qìvery很hěncold冷lěng，and also而且ér qiěsnow下雪xià xuě了le。

Recap

• not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn A，moreover而且ér qiě B = not only A, but also B.
• One subject: after it; two subjects: before the first. moreover而且ér qiě can stand alone; not just不仅bù jǐn is more formal.

Practise this pattern step by step.

or / still还是hái shì vs or或者huò zhě (or: question vs statement)

Asking or offering?

• A waiter asks, "Rice or noodles?" You answer, "Either is fine."
• (cooked) rice米饭mǐ fànor / still还是hái shìnoodles面条miàn tiáo？––(cooked) rice米饭mǐ fànor或者huò zhěnoodles面条miàn tiáoall / both都dōucan / may可以kě yǐ。 – "Rice or noodles? – Rice or noodles, either is fine."

or / still还是hái shì asks, or或者huò zhě states

• or / still还是hái shì = "or" in a question that asks someone to choose: you你nǐto drink tea喝茶hē cháor / still还是hái shìcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi？
• or或者huò zhě = "or" in a statement or suggestion: you你nǐcan / may可以kě yǐto drink tea喝茶hē cháor或者huò zhěcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi.

you你nǐcan可以kě yǐdrink喝hētea茶cháor或者huò zhěcoffee咖啡kā fēi。

Hidden questions

• After not不bùto know知道zhī dào, want / think / miss想xiǎngto know知道zhī dào or to decide (to do something)决定jué dìng, use or / still还是hái shì: I / me我wǒnot不bùto know知道zhī dàohe / him他tāto go去qùor / still还是hái shì不去bù qù。 – "I don't know whether he's going or not."
• I / me我wǒstill / also还háinot / haven't没méito decide (to do something)决定jué dìngto go去qùBeijing, capital of the…北京běi jīngor / still还是hái shìto go去qùShanghai municipality…上海shàng hǎi。 – "I haven't decided whether to go to Beijing or Shanghai."

I我wǒstill还háihaven't没méidecided决定jué dìnggo to去qùBeijing北京Běi jīngor还是hái shigo to去qùShanghai上海Shàng hǎi。

The quick test

• Is someone being asked to choose (even indirectly)? Use or / still还是hái shì. Is a possibility being offered? Use or或者huò zhě.
• Never add (yes/no ?)吗ma to a or / still还是hái shì question: you你nǐto go去qùor / still还是hái shì不去bù qù？, not you你nǐto go去qùor / still还是hái shì不去bù qù(yes/no ?)吗ma？

or / still还是hái shì = had better

• or / still还是hái shì also means "had better", with no choice involved: 太晚tài wǎn(completed / change)了le，we / us我们wǒ menor / still还是hái shì回家吧huí jiā ba。 – "It's late; we'd better go home."
• Read the context: two options to choose from, or a recommendation?

too太tàilate晚wǎn了le，we我们wǒ menhad better还是hái shigo home回家huí jiā吧ba。

Recap

• or / still还是hái shì = or in direct and hidden questions (not不bùto know知道zhī dào A or / still还是hái shì B); or或者huò zhě = or in statements.
• or / still还是hái shì + suggestion = had better.

Practise this pattern step by step.

Practice without the models

Choose a pattern, cover its teaching examples, and attempt its questions. Use the labels to find feedback in the separate key.

A or或者huò zhě B (or – in statements)

0701.1 Complete: “You can pay in cash or by card.” you你nǐcan / may可以kě yǐ付现金fù xiàn jīn…………to use a credit card (or…刷卡shuā kǎ。

0701.2 Which asks “Do you want tea or coffee?”

• A. you你nǐwant / will / need要yàotea茶cháor或者huò zhěcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi？
• B. you你nǐwant / will / need要yàotea茶cháand / with和hécoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi？
• C. you你nǐwant / will / need要yàotea茶cháor或者huò zhěcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi(yes/no ?)吗maor / still还是hái shì？
• D. you你nǐwant / will / need要yàotea茶cháor / still还是hái shìcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi？

0701.3 Build: “Call me tomorrow or the day after.”

Arrange all chunks: to / for / give给gěiI / me我wǒ / tomorrow明天míng tiānor或者huò zhěthe day after tomorrow后天hòu tiān / you你nǐ / to make a telephone call打电话dǎ diàn huà(suggestion)吧ba。

0701.4 I / me我wǒto buy买mǎi(completed / change)了leapple苹果píng guǒor或者huò zhěbanana香蕉xiāng jiāo means “I bought apples and bananas.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0701.5 A friend wants to meet this weekend and asks which day suits you. Both are free. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

like that那么nà me … (then / in that case)

0702.1 A: “I'm not free today.” B: “Then let's meet tomorrow.” …………we / us我们wǒ mentomorrow明天míng tiānto appear见jiàn(suggestion)吧ba。

0702.2 In 这件zhè jiànclothes衣服yī fúlike that那么nà meexpensive贵guì, what does like that那么nà me mean?

• A. or
• B. because
• C. then
• D. so

0702.3 Build: “If you don't like it, then change it.”

Arrange all chunks: then / just就jiùto exchange换huàn / ，like that那么nà me / 一个yí gè(suggestion)吧ba。 / if如果rú guǒyou你nǐnot不bùto like喜欢xǐ huan

0702.4 like that那么nà me at the start of a reply usually responds to what someone else has just said.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0702.5 A friend says the cinema is fully booked tonight. You quickly suggest another plan. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

with / and跟gēn + Person + Verb (with someone)

0703.1 Complete: “I play basketball with my brother.” I / me我wǒ…………older brother哥哥gē gēin the same place一起yì qǐ打篮球dǎ lán qiú。

0703.2 Which says “I won't go with him.”?

• A. I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tānot不bùto go去qù。
• B. I / me我wǒto go去qùnot不bùwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tā。
• C. I / me我wǒnot不bùwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāto go去qù。
• D. I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnnot不bùhe / him他tāto go去qù。

0703.3 Build: “I want to tell you something.”

Arrange all chunks: I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎng / variant of 说说shuō / with / and跟gēnyou你nǐ / 一件yī jiànmatter事shì。

0703.4 In I / me我wǒwith / and跟gēnhe / him他tāall / both都dōuto be / is是shìstudent学生xué shēng, with / and跟gēn means “and”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0703.5 Your mum asks about your plans for the holiday. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

A or / still还是hái shì B? (or – in questions)

0704.1 Ask: “Are you going today or tomorrow?” you你nǐtoday今天jīn tiānto go去qù…………tomorrow明天míng tiānto go去qù？

0704.2 Which question is correct?

• A. you你nǐto be / is是shìChina中国zhōng guóperson人rénor或者huò zhěSouth Korea (Republic of…韩国hán guóperson人rén？
• B. you你nǐto be / is是shìChina中国zhōng guóperson人rénor / still还是hái shìSouth Korea (Republic of…韩国hán guóperson人rén？
• C. you你nǐto be / is是shìChina中国zhōng guóperson人rénor / still还是hái shìSouth Korea (Republic of…韩国hán guóperson人rén(yes/no ?)吗ma？
• D. you你nǐto be / is是shìChina中国zhōng guóperson人rén(yes/no ?)吗maor / still还是hái shìSouth Korea (Republic of…韩国hán guóperson人rén？

0704.3 Build: “Shall we take the subway or a taxi?”

Arrange all chunks: 坐地铁zuò dì tiě / or / still还是hái shì / to take a taxi (in town)打车dǎ chē？ / we / us我们wǒ men

0704.4 I / me我wǒnot不bùto know知道zhī dào他来tā láior / still还是hái shìnot不bùto come来lái is correct.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0704.5 A waiter asks what you would like to drink. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

pertaining to关于guān yú + Topic (about / regarding)

0705.1 Complete: “I want to buy a book about cooking.” I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngto buy买mǎi一本yī běn…………to prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn(modifier / structural particle)的debook书shū。

0705.2 “She is very interested in music.” Which word fits? she / her她tā____music音乐yīn yuè很感兴趣hěn gǎn xìng qù。

• A. towards向xiàng
• B. to / towards / correct对duì
• C. with / and跟gēn
• D. pertaining to关于guān yú

0705.3 Build: “I watched a programme about pandas.”

Arrange all chunks: pertaining to关于guān yúpanda熊猫xióng māo(modifier / structural particle)的de / 一个yí gè / program节目jié mù。 / I / me我wǒto see看kàn(completed / change)了le

0705.4 pertaining to关于guān yúChina中国zhōng guóbook书shū is a correct phrase for “a book about China”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0705.5 In the library you find a book that explains Chinese history for beginners. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

until直到zhí dào … ，… only then / not until才cái … (all the way until)

0706.1 Complete: “It wasn't until yesterday that I knew.” until直到zhí dàoyesterday昨天zuó tiān，I / me我wǒ…………to know知道zhī dào。

0706.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. until直到zhí dào十一点shí yì diǎn，he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito go to bed睡觉shuì jiào。
• B. he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáiuntil直到zhí dào十一点shí yì diǎnto go to bed睡觉shuì jiào。
• C. until直到zhí dào十一点shí yì diǎn，he / him他tāthen / just就jiùto go to bed睡觉shuì jiào(completed / change)了le。
• D. until直到zhí dào十一点shí yì diǎn，he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito go to bed睡觉shuì jiào(completed / change)了le。

0706.3 Build: “The rain kept falling until the evening.”

Arrange all chunks: all along一直yì zhí / evening晚上wǎn shàng。 / down下xiàto / arrive到dào / (literary) to rain雨yǔ

0706.4 we / us我们wǒ menTaiwan pr.玩wánto / arrive到dào十点shí diǎn means “We played until ten.”

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0706.5 You stayed up for your sister's flight to land; she only messaged you at midnight. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

towards向xiàng + Direction / Person + Verb (towards)

0707.1 Complete: “Turn left at the crossroads.” to / arrive到dào(completed / change)了lecrossing路口lù kǒu…………左拐zuǒ guǎi。

0707.2 Which says “I want to apologise to her.”?

• A. I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngshe / her她tātowards向xiàngto apologize道歉dào qiàn。
• B. I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngto apologize道歉dào qiàntowards向xiàngshe / her她tā。
• C. I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngtowards向xiàngshe / her她tāto apologize道歉dào qiàn。
• D. I / me我wǒwant / think / miss想xiǎngtowards往wǎngshe / her她tāto apologize道歉dào qiàn。

0707.3 Build: “I borrowed a book from him.”

Arrange all chunks: variant of 借借jiè(completed / change)了le / I / me我wǒ / one / a一yī本书běn shū。 / towards向xiànghe / him他tā

0707.4 往前走wǎng qián zǒu and 向前走xiàng qián zǒu both mean “walk forward”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0707.5 You are lost in an old town, and a shopkeeper points down the street. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

if only只要zhǐ yào … ，then / just就jiù … (as long as)

0708.1 Complete: “As long as you ask, he will help you.” if only只要zhǐ yàoyou你nǐto ask问wèn，he / him他tā…………can / will会huìto help帮bāngyou你nǐ。

0708.2 Which pair fits “Only by taking a taxi can you get there in time”? ___to take a taxi (in town)打车dǎ chē，you你nǐ___to have enough time来得及lái de jí。

• A. because因为yīn wèi … so / therefore所以suǒ yǐ
• B. only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu … only then / not until才cái
• C. although虽然suī rán … but但是dàn shì
• D. if only只要zhǐ yào … then / just就jiù

0708.3 Build: “Whenever I have time, I'll come and see you.”

Arrange all chunks: if only只要zhǐ yàoto have / there is有yǒu(concept of) time时间shí jiān / to go去qùto see看kànyou你nǐ。 / ， / I / me我wǒthen / just就jiù

0708.4 if only只要zhǐ yàoyou你nǐto come来lái，then / just就jiùI / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnhappy高兴gāo xìng has the correct word order.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0708.5 A friend is worried about tomorrow's picnic. You only need one thing to go right. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

… ，only then / not until才cái … (only then / only after)

0709.1 Complete: “You can only go out after you've eaten.” you你nǐ吃了饭chī le fàn，…………can / be able to能néngto go out出去chū qù。

0709.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. I / me我wǒto wait for等děng(completed / change)了ledegree / adjective linker很hěn(long) time久jiǔ，he / him他tāonly then / not until才cáito come来lái。
• B. I / me我wǒto wait for等děng(completed / change)了ledegree / adjective linker很hěn(long) time久jiǔ，他来tā láiI / me我wǒonly then / not until才cái。
• C. I / me我wǒto wait for等děng(completed / change)了ledegree / adjective linker很hěn(long) time久jiǔ，only then / not until才cáihe / him他tāto come来lái。
• D. I / me我wǒto wait for等děng(completed / change)了ledegree / adjective linker很hěn(long) time久jiǔ，他来tā láionly then / not until才cái。

0709.3 Build: “I asked him three times before he told me.”

Arrange all chunks: ， / I / me我wǒto ask问wèn(completed / change)了lehe / him他tāthird三次sān cì / he / him他tāonly then / not until才cái / to tell告诉gào sùI / me我wǒ。

0709.4 only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu做完作业zuò wán zuò yè，talent才能cái néng玩游戏wán yóu xì makes finishing homework necessary, without proving it is sufficient by itself.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0709.5 Your parents have one rule about screen time on school nights. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu … ，only then / not until才cái … (only if)

0710.1 Complete: “Only if you rest well will you get better quickly.” only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuwell好好hǎo hǎorest休息xiū xī，…………can / be able to能néngto do sth more quickly快点kuài diǎngood好hǎo。

0710.2 “All you need is a student card to get in for free.” Which pair fits? ___to have / there is有yǒustudent identity card学生证xué shēng zhèng，___can / be able to能néngfree (of charge)免费miǎn fèito go in进去jìn qù。

• A. if only只要zhǐ yào … then / just就jiù
• B. only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu … only then / not until才cái
• C. only have ...只有zhǐ yǒu … then / just就jiù
• D. if only只要zhǐ yào … only then / not until才cái

0710.3 Build: “Only he knows the answer.”

Arrange all chunks: only then / not until才cái / to know知道zhī dào / only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuhe / him他tā / answer答案dá àn。

0710.4 only have ...只有zhǐ yǒuyou你nǐto go去qù，he / him他tāthen / just就jiùcan / will会huìto go去qù is the standard pairing.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0710.5 The building door needs a code, and only residents know it. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

besides除了chú le … all / both都dōu / still / also还hái (except / besides)

0711.1 Complete: “Besides tea, I also drink coffee.” besides除了chú letea茶chá，I / me我wǒ…………喝咖啡hē kā fēi。

0711.2 In besides除了chú le小王xiǎo wáng，we / us我们wǒ menall / both都dōuto like喜欢xǐ huanvariant of 吃吃chīhot (spicy)辣là(modifier / structural particle)的de, does Xiao Wang like spicy food?

• A. Yes, and so do the others.
• B. Yes, he likes it most.
• C. The sentence does not say.
• D. No, he is the exception.

0711.3 Build: “I work every day except Sunday.”

Arrange all chunks: besides除了chú leSunday星期天xīng qī tiān / I / me我wǒevery day每天měi tiān / all / both都dōuto go to work上班shàng bān。 / ，

0711.4 besides除了chú leChinese language中文zhōng wén，he / him他tāstill / also还háican / will会huìvariant of 说说shuōJapanese language日语rì yǔ means he speaks both Chinese and Japanese.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0711.5 Your whole class went to the concert, but you were ill at home. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

if如果rú guǒ … if (coming after a…的话de huà (if …)

0712.1 Complete: “If you have time, come to my place.” you你nǐto have / there is有yǒu(concept of) time时间shí jiān…………，to come来lái我家wǒ jiā(suggestion)吧ba。

0712.2 Which sentence has natural Chinese word order?

• A. we / us我们wǒ mento go去qùpark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuán，if如果rú guǒtomorrow明天míng tiānweather天气tiān qìgood好hǎoif (coming after a…的话de huà。
• B. if如果rú guǒtomorrow明天míng tiānweather天气tiān qìgood好hǎoif (coming after a…的话de huà，we / us我们wǒ mento go去qùpark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuán。
• C. if (coming after a…的话de huàtomorrow明天míng tiānweather天气tiān qìgood好hǎo，we / us我们wǒ mento go去qùpark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuán。
• D. we / us我们wǒ menif如果rú guǒto go去qùpark (for public recreation)公园gōng yuánif (coming after a…的话de huà，tomorrow明天míng tiānweather天气tiān qìgood好hǎo。

0712.3 Build: “If you have any questions, you can ask me.”

Arrange all chunks: if (coming after a…的话de huà / to ask问wènI / me我wǒ。 / you你nǐto have / there is有yǒuquestion问题wèn tí / ，can / may可以kě yǐ

0712.4 if要是yào shi is a spoken word for “if”.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0712.5 You are planning a trip to the Great Wall but the forecast is uncertain. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

if如果rú guǒ … ，then / just就jiù … (if …, then …)

0713.1 Complete: “If you come, I'll cook for you.” if如果rú guǒyou你nǐto come来lái，I / me我wǒ…………to / for / give给gěiyou你nǐto prepare a meal做饭zuò fàn。

0713.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. to rain下雨xià yǔif如果rú guǒ，I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùnot不bùto go去qù。
• B. if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ，then / just就jiùI / me我wǒnot不bùto go去qù。
• C. if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ，I / me我wǒthen / just就jiùnot不bùto go去qù。
• D. if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ，so / therefore所以suǒ yǐI / me我wǒnot不bùto go去qù。

0713.3 Build: “If you're not well, go and see a doctor.”

Arrange all chunks: ， / to see看kàndoctor医生yī shēng(suggestion)吧ba。 / if如果rú guǒyou你nǐnot不bùcomfortable舒服shū fú / then / just就jiùto go去qù

0713.4 because因为yīn wèito rain下雨xià yǔ describes a possibility; if如果rú guǒto rain下雨xià yǔ describes a fact.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0713.5 You and a friend are checking flights for the holiday. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

not only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn … ，moreover而且ér qiě … (not only … but also)

0714.1 Complete: “He not only speaks Chinese, but also speaks French.” he / him他tānot only (... but also ...)不但bù dàncan / will会huìvariant of 说说shuōChinese language中文zhōng wén，…………can / will会huìvariant of 说说shuōFrench (language)法语fǎ yǔ。

0714.2 Which sentence is correct?

• A. he / him他tānot only (... but also ...)不但bù dàndegree / adjective linker很hěnhigh高gāo，很帅hěn shuàimoreover而且ér qiě。
• B. he / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnhigh高gāonot only (... but also ...)不但bù dàn，moreover而且ér qiě很帅hěn shuài。
• C. not only (... but also ...)不但bù dànhe / him他tādegree / adjective linker很hěnhigh高gāo，moreover而且ér qiě很帅hěn shuài。
• D. he / him他tānot only (... but also ...)不但bù dàndegree / adjective linker很hěnhigh高gāo，moreover而且ér qiě很帅hěn shuài。

0714.3 Build: “Not only do I like it, my friend does too.”

Arrange all chunks: ， / moreover而且ér qiěI / me我wǒfriend朋友péng yǒu / also也yěto like喜欢xǐ huan。 / not only (... but also ...)不但bù dànI / me我wǒto like喜欢xǐ huan

0714.4 moreover而且ér qiě can be used on its own to add a point.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0714.5 You are recommending a new restaurant to a friend who is hard to please. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

or / still还是hái shì vs or或者huò zhě (or: question vs statement)

0715.1 Suggest: “We can take the bus or walk.” we / us我们wǒ mencan / may可以kě yǐto sit坐zuòpublic transport vehicle公交车gōng jiāo chē…………to walk走路zǒu lù。

0715.2 Which fits? I / me我wǒnot不bùto know知道zhī dàohe / him他tāto be / is是shìteacher老师lǎo shī____student学生xué shēng。

• A. and / with和hé
• B. moreover而且ér qiě
• C. or / still还是hái shì
• D. or或者huò zhě

0715.3 Match each sentence to what or / still还是hái shì / or或者huò zhě does.

• 1. you你nǐto go去qùor / still还是hái shìI / me我wǒto go去qù？
• 2. you你nǐto go去qùor或者huò zhěI / me我wǒto go去qù都行dōu xíng。
• 3. we / us我们wǒ menor / still还是hái shìto walk走zǒu(suggestion)吧ba。

• A. asks someone to choose

• B. had better

• C. offers either option

0715.4 you你nǐto go去qùor / still还是hái shì不去bù qù(yes/no ?)吗ma？ is correct.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0715.5 A waiter asks, "Rice or noodles?" You answer, "Either is fine." Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

Write or say your own response before reading the key.

A fresh situation

R1. Interpret and repair. A question offers tea or coffee, but a learner asks you你nǐto drink tea喝茶hē cháor或者huò zhěcoffee (loanword)咖啡kā fēi(yes/no ?)吗ma and expects a choice. Make the choice question explicit.

R2. Use it yourself. Write one sufficient-condition sentence about having time and one necessary-condition sentence about having a ticket.

Write your responses before opening the key. Compare meaning as well as form; a different valid answer need not copy the model.