Prepositions

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.

since (a time)自从zì cóng (ever since)

A report needs a starting event

• A student moved here in March. In an April conversation, they say since (a time)自从zì cóngto come来láihere这儿zhè ér，I / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnto feel happy开心kāi xīn。 – Since coming here, I have been happy.
• The arrival is earlier than the report. The sentence connects a later state to that starting event; it does not describe a route from a place.

Introduce the earlier starting point

• Use since (a time)自从zì cóng + earlier time / event，later situation. since (a time)自从zì cóngto come来láihere这儿zhè ér supplies the starting event; I / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnto feel happy开心kāi xīn gives the later state.
• since (a time)自从zì cóngMarch三月sān yuèto move (i.e. relocate…搬bānto come来lái，I / me我wǒ去过qù guòlibrary图书馆tú shū guǎnthird三次sān cì。 – Since moving here in March, I have visited the library three times. Repeated events also fit.

ever since自从zì cóngcome来láihere这儿zhèr，I我wǒvery很hěnhappy开心kāi xīn。

Keep the report’s endpoint

• The April report counts three visits between the March move and that conversation. It does not mean three visits every day.
• A copy of that April report read in June is still an April report. Do not silently add two more months or claim three is the June total.

Compare time, place and a future plan

• from从cóngtomorrow明天míng tiānto start开始kāi shǐ，I / me我wǒevery day每天měi tiānto walk走路zǒu lùto go to school上学shàng xué。 starts a future plan. from从cóngschool学校xué xiàoto walk走zǒuto / arrive到dàorail station车站chē zhàn。 starts a route at the school. Use plain from从cóng in these examples.
• since (a time)自从zì cóng highlights an earlier time or event leading into a later situation. It cannot replace from从cóng in every route or future-start expression.

A sequence is not proof of cause

• since (a time)自从zì cóngto exchange换huàn(completed / change)了leseat座位zuò wèi，I / me我wǒto see看kànblackboard黑板hēi bǎnclear清楚qīng chǔmany多duō(completed / change)了le。 reports clearer vision after changing seats. It connects the observations in time.
• To claim the seat was the only cause, we would need more evidence. since (a time)自从zì cóng alone does not rule out a new pair of glasses or another change.

Read the start, report and later situation

• Find the earlier starting point, then the situation or events reported after it. Repeated visits need their own count and endpoint.
• Keep since (a time)自从zì cóng distinct from a place route and a future plan. A time connection does not automatically prove an exclusive cause.

Practise this pattern step by step.

for为wèi + Person (for someone's sake)

Work for the people using the service

• A community team helps residents. we / us我们wǒ menfor为wèieveryone大家dà jiāto serve服务fú wù。 – We serve everyone. we / us我们wǒ men names the workers; everyone大家dà jiā names the people served.
• The sentence states whom the service is for. It does not prove every resident used it or was satisfied.

Place the person before the action

• In this pattern, use subject + for为wèi + person + action. for为wèi is read wèi: for为wèieveryone大家dà jiāto serve服务fú wù, for为wèifriend朋友péng yǒupreparation准备zhǔn bèievening meal晚饭wǎn fàn – prepare dinner for a friend.
• The friend receives the intended benefit. The cook and the friend are different roles; do not swap them when translating.

we我们wǒ menfor为wèieveryone大家dà jiāserve服务fú wù。

For someone can have different jobs

• I / me我wǒfor为wèiyou你nǐhappy高兴gāo xìng。 – I am happy for you. Your situation is the reason for my happiness; this is not a service delivered to you.
• I / me我wǒfor为wèifriend朋友péng yǒupreparation准备zhǔn bèievening meal晚饭wǎn fàn。 names the friend for whom dinner is prepared. Read for为wèi with its surrounding action rather than assigning one role everywhere.

Compare a person with an explicit goal

• in order to为了wèi lebreakfast早点zǎo diǎnto / arrive到dào，I / me我wǒto sit坐zuò(completed / change)了leunderground railway地铁dì tiě。 – To arrive earlier, I took the metro. in order to为了wèi le introduces the goal of arriving earlier.
• for为wèi and in order to为了wèi le can overlap in purpose meanings. “for为wèi always means a person; in order to为了wèi le always means a non-person goal” is too rigid; learn each complete construction.

Purpose does not guarantee success

• The cook says I / me我wǒfor为wèifriend朋友péng yǒupreparation准备zhǔn bèi(completed / change)了leevening meal晚饭wǎn fàn，but但dànfriend朋友péng yǒunot / haven't没méito come来lái。 Dinner was prepared for the friend, but the friend did not come.
• The stated purpose remains even when the intended recipient does not eat. for为wèifriend朋友péng yǒu does not prove a successful delivery or a return favour.

Identify who acts and why

• In for为wèieveryone大家dà jiāto serve服务fú wù, locate the workers, the people served and the action. In for为wèiyou你nǐhappy高兴gāo xìng, locate whose situation prompts the happiness.
• For an explicit goal, read the whole in order to为了wèi le phrase. Do not turn a purpose or intended benefit into a guaranteed outcome.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to / towards / correct对duì … (typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán (as far as … is concerned)

The same task can feel different

• Beginners find an assignment hard; experienced users find it easy. to / towards / correct对duìnew hand新手xīn shǒu(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěndifficult / hard难nán。 – For beginners, this is difficult.
• The sentence takes the beginners’ perspective. It does not say experts must share that experience.

Name whose perspective comes first

• Use to / towards / correct对duì + person / group + (typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，comment. to / towards / correct对duìI / me我wǒ(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán makes the following importance judgement personal.
• to / towards / correct对duìI / me我wǒ来说lái shuō，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěnimportant重要zhòng yào。 is a common alternative. Keep the named viewpoint when paraphrasing instead of turning it into “important for everyone”.

for对duìme我wǒas for而言ér yán，this这zhèvery很hěnimportant重要zhòng yào。

Different viewpoints can coexist

• to / towards / correct对duìnew hand新手xīn shǒu(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěndifficult / hard难nán；to / towards / correct对duìpracticed熟练shú liàn(modifier / structural particle)的deperson人rén(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěneasy容易róng yì。 The two comments concern the same task and different groups.
• The difference need not be a contradiction. Skill and experience can change a judgement of difficulty.

Perspective is not a quoted speech report

• to / towards / correct对duìstudent学生xué shēng(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这个zhè geto arrange安排ān páidegree / adjective linker很hěnconvenient方便fāng biàn。 evaluates the arrangement for students. It does not say every student has personally spoken or agreed.
• student学生xué shēngvariant of 说说shuōthis这个zhè geto arrange安排ān páidegree / adjective linker很hěnconvenient方便fāng biàn。 explicitly reports what students said. A viewpoint phrase and a speech report provide different information.

Keep a changed group in the answer

• A school starts lessons earlier. to / towards / correct对duìto live住zhù(degree marker)得deto distance oneself from…远yuǎn(modifier / structural particle)的destudent学生xué shēng(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhènot不bùconvenient方便fāng biàn。 refers to students living far away.
• Do not infer that nearby students find it equally inconvenient. The new group limits this comment even if both groups attend the same school.

Keep the viewpoint with the judgement

• Identify the person or group after to / towards / correct对duì, then the comment. Preserve both in your English paraphrase.
• A viewpoint is not evidence of universal agreement or a direct quotation. Check a second group separately.

Practise this pattern step by step.

… (included) in it在内zài nèi (including)

Reserve five seats, not six

• A group organiser says to comprise包括bāo kuòI / me我wǒ(included) in it在内zài nèi，altogether一共yī gòng五个wǔ gèperson人rén。 – Including me, there are five people in all. The organiser is already one of the five.
• Reserve five seats if each person needs one. Adding the organiser again would count the same person twice.

Put the included member before (included) in it在内zài nèi

• Use to comprise包括bāo kuò + member / items + (included) in it在内zài nèi，whole set: to comprise包括bāo kuòI / me我wǒ(included) in it在内zài nèi. (included) in it在内zài nèi places the named member inside the stated set.
• The original sentence’s total is five. The remaining people number four, because five includes the speaker.

including包括bāo kuòme我wǒincluded在内zài nèi，in total一共yí gòngfive五wǔpeople个人gè rén。

Compare included and additional members

• to comprise包括bāo kuòI / me我wǒ(included) in it在内zài nèi，altogether一共yī gòng五个wǔ gèperson人rén。 gives five total. besides除了chú leI / me我wǒ，furthermore还有hái yǒu五个wǔ gèperson人rén。 in this stated counting contrast gives five others plus me: six total.
• Do not carry the second total into the first sentence. Look at whether the five already includes the speaker.

Inclusion also works without a count

• to comprise包括bāo kuòweekend周末zhōu mò(included) in it在内zài nèi，every day每天měi tiānall / both都dōuto bloom开放kāi fàng。 – Open every day, including weekends. The claim includes weekend days.
• It does not state the opening hours or the ticket price. Membership in the open-day set is different from those details.

Change the included group

• to comprise包括bāo kuò两位liǎng wèiteacher老师lǎo shī(included) in it在内zài nèi，altogether一共yī gòng八个bā gèperson人rén。 – Including two teachers, there are eight people in all. The teachers occupy two of the eight places.
• There are six other people in this situation, not eight others plus two teachers. Recalculate from the new total and included number.

Count each included person once

• For five including me, subtract one to find four others. For eight including two teachers, subtract two to find six others.
• For a non-numerical set, identify what is included without inventing a count, schedule or price.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to lean against凭píng (on the basis of / by)

A ticket is an entry credential

• A fictional venue notice says admission by ticket only凭票入场píng piào rù chǎng。 – Admission by ticket. Visitors are asked to show a ticket as the basis for entry.
• The phrase does not name the price, performance time or whether the ticket must be for today. Read any additional rules too.

Name the basis before the action

• Use to lean against凭píng + credential / resource / basis + action. admission by ticket only凭票入场píng piào rù chǎng names a ticket; to lean against凭píngexperience经验jīng yànto judge判断pàn duàn names experience used to make a judgement.
• In the original to lean against凭píngto make an effort努力nǔ lì，he / him他tāsuccess成功chéng gōng(completed / change)了le, the speaker credits effort in an actual success. This is not a promise that every attempt succeeds.

by凭píngeffort努力nǔ lì，he他tāsucceed成功chéng gōng了le。

Keep extra conditions visible

• The full notice says to lean against凭píngthe same day当天dàng tiān有效票yǒu xiào piàoto enter the venue for a…入场rù chǎng。 – Enter with a ticket valid for that day. An expired ticket does not meet this stated rule.
• to lean against凭píng introduces the basis, while the same day当天dàng tiāneffective有效yǒu xiào narrows which ticket counts. “I have a ticket” alone is not enough to evaluate this full notice.

Asking for grounds can be a challenge

• In an argument, you你nǐto lean against凭píngwhat什么shén meto decide (to do something)决定jué dìng？ – On what grounds do you decide? – challenges someone’s basis or authority.
• It is not a thank-you. A phrase about grounds can be neutral or challenging in context; this argument supplies the challenging reading.

A basis can still be weak

• to lean against凭píngexperience经验jīng yàn，he / him他tāto feel / think觉得jué de这台zhè táimachine机器jī qìnot / haven't没méiquestion问题wèn tí。 reports a judgement based on experience. It does not establish that the machine passed a measured safety check.
• Ask what evidence was actually used. The presence of to lean against凭píng names a basis without proving that basis is sufficient or the conclusion is correct.

Read the basis and its limits

• Locate the ticket, experience or effort introduced by to lean against凭píng, then the action or judgement it supports.
• Additional requirements and evidence quality still matter. A named basis does not guarantee access, universal success or a correct conclusion.

Practise this pattern step by step.

as for至于zhì yú (as for / when it comes to)

Price is raised but left unresolved

• A buyer and seller finish discussing quality. as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé，after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō。 – As for the price, we will discuss it later.
• as for至于zhì yú raises price as a separate issue. after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō postpones it; no price is agreed in this sentence.

Add a comment to the named topic

• Use as for至于zhì yú + topic，comment. as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé names the issue, and after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō tells what the speaker proposes to do about it.
• as for至于zhì yúto deliver goods送货sòng huò(concept of) time时间shí jiān，tomorrow明天míng tiānto confirm确认què rèn。 – As for delivery time, confirm it tomorrow. This postpones confirmation, not necessarily delivery itself.

as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé，later以后yǐ hòuagain再zàidiscuss说shuō。

Different issues can have different states

• Quality may be accepted while price remains unresolved. Delivery time may still need tomorrow’s confirmation.
• Changing to a topic is not the same as settling it. Read the comment after that topic before deciding what is known.

Keep other uses separate

• as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé，we / us我们wǒ menstill / also还háinot / haven't没méito decide (to do something)决定jué dìng。 leaves the price undecided. unlikely to go so far as to不至于bù zhì yúso much这么zhè meexpensive贵guì(suggestion)吧ba。 suggests it should not be so expensive.
• The second construction does not introduce price as a fresh discussion topic. Learn unlikely to go so far as to不至于bù zhì yú as its own expression instead of translating every as for至于zhì yú as “as for”.

Transfer to who will do the work

• as for至于zhì yúwho谁shéito come来láito be responsible for负责fù zé，we / us我们wǒ menstill / also还háinot / haven't没méito decide (to do something)决定jué dìng。 – As for who will be responsible, we have not decided yet.
• The responsibility question is now on the agenda, but no person is named as the chosen organiser. Topic selection is not person selection.

Separate the issue from the decision

• Name the issue after as for至于zhì yú, then read its actual comment: postponed, undecided or confirmed.
• Do not infer a price, delivery date or responsible person from a topic phrase alone. Keep unlikely to go so far as to不至于bù zhì yú separate from the topic-changing use.

Practise this pattern step by step.

to / for / give给gěi (colloquial passive)

The cup is affected, not the doer

• You find a broken cup and report cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěito break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le。 – The cup got broken. The sentence uses colloquial passive to / for / give给gěi.
• cup杯子bēi zi is what was broken. The sentence names no doer; it does not identify who broke it or whether it was intentional.

Read the affected thing before to / for / give给gěi

• In this passive pattern, use affected thing + to / for / give给gěi + (doer) + action / result. cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěito break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le leaves the doer out.
• cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěismall小xiǎoplum李lǐto break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le。 names Xiao Li as the doer. The cup still receives the effect of to break打破dǎ pò.

cup杯子bēi zi(passive)给gěibreak打破dǎ pò了le。

Follow the action across three forms

• 小李xiǎo lǐto break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了lecup杯子bēi zi。 names Xiao Li as the doer first. cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěismall小xiǎoplum李lǐto break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le。 names the affected cup first.
• cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěito break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le。 preserves the broken-cup report without naming Xiao Li. Removing a name removes information, not the breaking event.

to / for / give给gěi can give rather than mark a passive

• I / me我wǒto / for / give给gěihe / him他tā一个yí gècup杯子bēi zi。 – I give him a cup. I / me我wǒ gives, he / him他tā receives, and 一个yí gècup杯子bēi zi is the item transferred.
• Compare this with cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěito break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le. Giving a cup and reporting a broken cup are different actions; to / for / give给gěi alone does not identify the sentence’s role.

Do not invent the unnamed doer

• gate门ménto / for / give给gěito close (a door)关上guān shàng(completed / change)了le。 – The door got closed. No doer is named in this report.
• It does not prove the speaker closed it, or that someone closed it deliberately. Add those details only when the context supplies them.

Locate the affected object and the doer

• In this passive use, find what was affected and whether a doer is explicitly named. A missing doer remains unknown from the sentence.
• Compare complete constructions: to / for / give给gěi can also transfer an item or introduce a recipient. Keep the action and result in the interpretation.

Practise this pattern step by step.

then / just就jiù … 来说lái shuō (as far as … goes)

An affordable price is one aspect

• A buyer has checked the price but not tested the item. then / just就jiùprice价格jià gé来说lái shuō，not不bùexpensive贵guì。 – As far as the price goes, it is not expensive.
• The evaluation concerns price. Quality, durability and whether the item meets the buyer’s need remain separate questions.

Frame an aspect before its comment

• Use then / just就jiù + aspect + 来说lái shuō，comment. then / just就jiùprice价格jià gé来说lái shuō selects price as the angle for not不bùexpensive贵guì.
• then / just就jiùquality质量zhì liàng来说lái shuō，still / also还háito need需要xū yàoinspection检查jiǎn chá。 – As far as quality goes, it still needs checking. A different aspect needs its own evidence.

as for就jiùprice价格jià géspeaking of来说lái shuō，not不bùexpensive贵guì。

Split an overall choice into aspects

• Price: not expensive. Quality: not yet tested. Delivery: takes a week. These three comments can all be true of the same item.
• A favourable price does not cancel the unknown quality or the wait. Combine the relevant facts before deciding whether to buy.

Contrast an aspect with a person

• then / just就jiùprice价格jià gé来说lái shuō，not不bùexpensive贵guì。 frames the price aspect. to / towards / correct对duìI / me我wǒ(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，or / still还是hái shì太贵tài guì。 frames my judgement given my situation.
• Those comments need not conflict: a price can compare well with similar goods and still exceed a person’s budget. The reference for the judgement matters.

The other then / just就jiù needs its own context

• I / me我wǒ吃完饭chī wán fànthen / just就jiùto walk走zǒu。 – I will leave after finishing the meal. Here then / just就jiù connects events; it does not frame the meal’s price or quality.
• In then / just就jiùprice价格jià gé来说lái shuō, read then / just就jiù with price价格jià gé来说lái shuō. Do not assign “immediately” to this scope phrase just because another use of then / just就jiù can concern timing.

Keep the comment within its angle

• Identify the aspect after then / just就jiù, then its particular evaluation. Check price, quality and delivery separately.
• A favourable comment on one angle does not prove an overall recommendation, everyone’s agreement or a rapid sequence of events.

Practise this pattern step by step.

old variant of 趁趁chèn (while / taking advantage of)

Eat during the useful window

• A meal is ready and still pleasantly hot. 趁热chèn rèvariant of 吃吃chī(suggestion)吧ba。 – Eat it while it is hot. The speaker recommends using that favourable state.
• This is a suggestion, not a report that eating already happened. The state may not last, which makes the timing useful.

Put the opportunity before the action

• Use old variant of 趁趁chèn + available time / situation + action. 趁热chèn rèvariant of 吃吃chī uses the hot state; old variant of 趁趁chènnoon break午休wǔ xiūto go去qùbank银行yín háng uses the lunch break for a bank visit.
• The phrase names an opportunity for the action. It is more specific than merely saying two events happened at the same time.

while趁chènhot热rèeat吃chī吧ba。

Follow the available window

• A student has a lunch break from 12:00 to 12:30 and plans a twenty-minute task. old variant of 趁趁chènnoon break午休wǔ xiū… connects the task with that available break.
• Starting at 12:20 would finish at 12:40: outside the stated break. old variant of 趁趁chèn does not make the task shorter or guarantee that it fits.

Compare opportunity with neutral timing

• 趁雨chèn yǔto stop停tíng(completed / change)了le，quickly赶快gǎn kuàito return home回家huí jiā。 uses a pause in the rain as an opportunity to go home. The action is recommended during that window.
• 雨停yǔ tíng(modifier / structural particle)的detime时候shí hòu，we / us我们wǒ menat / in在zàirail station车站chē zhàn。 only locates us at the station when the rain stopped. It does not itself say we used that moment for an action.

A lost opportunity changes the advice

• The food has already cooled. Do not describe that present state as to warm up热rè just to reuse 趁热chèn rèvariant of 吃吃chī(suggestion)吧ba. The original hot window has ended.
• One might reheat the food and make a new suggestion. The original sentence alone does not report reheating or show that it will happen.

Check the window before using the advice

• Identify the available situation and the proposed action. Check the actual state, timing and practical duration.
• old variant of 趁趁chèn recommends or describes using an opportunity. It does not prove that the action happened, succeeded or fits an invented deadline.

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.

since (a time)自从zì cóng (ever since)

0801.1 Use this lesson’s target form since (a time)自从zì cóng in the demonstrated sentence: Ever since I came here, I've been happy: ………… to come来láihere这儿zhè ér，I / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnto feel happy开心kāi xīn。

0801.2 In the March-arrival example, what does since (a time)自从zì cóng introduce?

• A. An earlier starting point for the later situation
• B. A future deadline

0801.3 In the April conversation, since (a time)自从zì cóngto come来láihere这儿zhè ér introduces the earlier arrival as the starting event.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0801.4 Moving here changed how happy someone feels. What does since (a time)自从zì cóngto come来láihere这儿zhè ér，I / me我wǒdegree / adjective linker很hěnto feel happy开心kāi xīn。 communicate?

• A. since (a time)自从zì cóng can replace from从cóng in every place or time expression.
• B. The arrival is the starting point for the subsequent state.

0801.5 An April report of three visits since March must be updated to June simply because someone reads it in June.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0801.6 An April report says since (a time)自从zì cóngMarch三月sān yuèto move (i.e. relocate…搬bānto come来lái，I / me我wǒ去过qù guòlibrary图书馆tú shū guǎnthird三次sān cì。 What does three count?

• A. Three visits every day
• B. Three visits in that stated interval

0801.7 Choose the starting word for this route: ____ school学校xué xiàoto walk走zǒuto / arrive到dàorail station车站chē zhàn。

• A. from从cóng
• B. since (a time)自从zì cóng

0801.8 since (a time)自从zì cóngto exchange换huàn(completed / change)了leseat座位zuò wèi，I / me我wǒto see看kànblackboard黑板hēi bǎnclear清楚qīng chǔmany多duō(completed / change)了le shows the new seat was the only cause of clearer vision.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0801.9 Recall the situation: A report needs a starting event. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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.

for为wèi + Person (for someone's sake)

0802.1 Use this lesson’s target form for为wèi in the demonstrated sentence: Serve everyone: we / us我们wǒ men ………… everyone大家dà jiāto serve服务fú wù。

0802.2 Which contrast fits these complete examples: for为wèieveryone大家dà jiāto serve服务fú wù and in order to为了wèi lebreakfast早点zǎo diǎnto / arrive到dào，I / me我wǒto sit坐zuò(completed / change)了leunderground railway地铁dì tiě?

• A. The two phrases name exactly the same people
• B. everyone大家dà jiā names people served; breakfast早点zǎo diǎnto / arrive到dào names the arrival goal

0802.3 In we / us我们wǒ menfor为wèieveryone大家dà jiāto serve服务fú wù, everyone大家dà jiā names the people served, while we / us我们wǒ men names the workers.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0802.4 A team is working to help its community. What does we / us我们wǒ menfor为wèieveryone大家dà jiāto serve服务fú wù。 communicate?

• A. for为wèi and in order to为了wèi le never overlap in meaning.
• B. everyone大家dà jiā names the people served by the action.

0802.5 for为wèi and in order to为了wèi le never overlap in meaning.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0802.6 Match the whole phrase to the role of the person named after for为wèi.

• 1. for为wèieveryone大家dà jiāto serve服务fú wù
• 2. for为wèiyou你nǐhappy高兴gāo xìng
• 3. for为wèifriend朋友péng yǒupreparation准备zhǔn bèievening meal晚饭wǎn fàn

• A. Intended beneficiary of preparing dinner

• B. Person whose situation prompts happiness

• C. People served

0802.7 in order to为了wèi lebreakfast早点zǎo diǎnto / arrive到dào，I / me我wǒto sit坐zuò(completed / change)了leunderground railway地铁dì tiě。 What is the stated goal?

• A. Arriving earlier
• B. Taking the metro is the final goal

0802.8 I / me我wǒfor为wèifriend朋友péng yǒupreparation准备zhǔn bèi(completed / change)了leevening meal晚饭wǎn fàn，but但dànfriend朋友péng yǒunot / haven't没méito come来lái shows the friend ate the prepared dinner.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0802.9 Recall the situation: Work for the people using the service. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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.

to / towards / correct对duì … (typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán (as far as … is concerned)

0803.1 Use this lesson’s target form (typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán in the demonstrated sentence: For me, this is important: to / towards / correct对duìI / me我wǒ …………，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěnimportant重要zhòng yào。

0803.2 {'en': 'to / towards / correct对duì…(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán is the formal twin of…', 'zh': 'to / towards / correct对duì……(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán to be / is是shìwhich哪个nǎ ge(modifier / structural particle)的deformal正式zhèng shìway of speaking说法shuō fǎ?'}

• A. {'en': 'because因为yīn wèi…so / therefore所以suǒ yǐ', 'zh': 'because因为yīn wèi……so / therefore所以suǒ yǐ'}
• B. {'en': 'to / towards / correct对duì…来说lái shuō', 'zh': 'to / towards / correct对duì……来说lái shuō'}

0803.3 {'en': 'to / towards / correct对duì…(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán sets whose perspective the statement takes.', 'zh': 'to / towards / correct对duì……(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán to set设定shè dìngfrom从cóngwho谁shéi(modifier / structural particle)的deangle角度jiǎo dùvariant of 说说shuō。'}

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0803.4 An assignment is difficult for beginners but easy for experts. What does to / towards / correct对duìnew hand新手xīn shǒu(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěndifficult / hard难nán。 communicate?

• A. The sentence says experts must find it equally difficult.
• B. The difficulty is evaluated from beginners' perspective.

0803.5 to / towards / correct对duìnew hand新手xīn shǒu(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěndifficult / hard难nán shows experts must find the task equally difficult.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0803.6 Match each stated group to its judgement of this task.

• 1. to / towards / correct对duìnew hand新手xīn shǒu(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěndifficult / hard难nán。
• 2. to / towards / correct对duìpracticed熟练shú liàn(modifier / structural particle)的deperson人rén(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhèdegree / adjective linker很hěneasy容易róng yì。

• A. Easy for experienced users

• B. Difficult for beginners

0803.7 to / towards / correct对duìstudent学生xué shēng(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这个zhè geto arrange安排ān páidegree / adjective linker很hěnconvenient方便fāng biàn shows every student personally said they agree.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0803.8 to / towards / correct对duìto live住zhù(degree marker)得deto distance oneself from…远yuǎn(modifier / structural particle)的destudent学生xué shēng(typically preceded by 就……而言ér yán，this这zhènot不bùconvenient方便fāng biàn。 Which group supplies this viewpoint?

• A. Students living far away
• B. All students and all teachers

0803.9 Recall the situation: The same task can feel different. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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.

… (included) in it在内zài nèi (including)

0804.1 Use this lesson’s target form (included) in it在内zài nèi in the demonstrated sentence: Including me, five people in all: to comprise包括bāo kuòI / me我wǒ …………，altogether一共yī gòng五个wǔ gèperson人rén。

0804.2 {'en': 'Where does the included item (I / me我wǒ) sit?', 'zh': '(passive: by)被bèito comprise包括bāo kuò(modifier / structural particle)的deback of neck项xiàng(I / me我wǒ)放在fàng zàiwhich哪nǎ?'}

• A. {'en': 'after (included) in it在内zài nèi', 'zh': '(included) in it在内zài nèi after之后zhī hòu'}
• B. {'en': 'between to comprise包括bāo kuò and (included) in it在内zài nèi', 'zh': 'to comprise包括bāo kuò and / with和hé (included) in it在内zài nèi (after a noun) between之间zhī jiān'}

0804.3 {'en': '(included) in it在内zài nèi means the item is left OUT of the count.', 'zh': '(included) in it在内zài nèi to express / indicate表示biǎo shì该项gāi xiàngnot不bù计入jì rù。'}

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0804.4 There are five people total, and you are one of them. What does to comprise包括bāo kuòI / me我wǒ(included) in it在内zài nèi，altogether一共yī gòng五个wǔ gèperson人rén。 communicate?

• A. The total of five already includes the speaker.
• B. The group contains five other people plus the speaker.

0804.5 to comprise包括bāo kuò两位liǎng wèiteacher老师lǎo shī(included) in it在内zài nèi，altogether一共yī gòng八个bā gèperson人rén describes eight others plus two teachers.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0804.6 to comprise包括bāo kuòI / me我wǒ(included) in it在内zài nèi，altogether一共yī gòng五个wǔ gèperson人rén。 How many people other than the speaker are in the group?

0804.7 to comprise包括bāo kuòweekend周末zhōu mò(included) in it在内zài nèi，every day每天měi tiānall / both都dōuto bloom开放kāi fàng tells us that the venue opens at 9:00 every day.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0804.8 to comprise包括bāo kuò两位liǎng wèiteacher老师lǎo shī(included) in it在内zài nèi，altogether一共yī gòng八个bā gèperson人rén。 How many of the eight are people other than those two teachers?

0804.9 Recall the situation: Reserve five seats, not six. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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.

to lean against凭píng (on the basis of / by)

0805.1 Use this lesson’s target form to lean against凭píng in the demonstrated sentence: On the strength of effort, he succeeded: ………… to make an effort努力nǔ lì，he / him他tāsuccess成功chéng gōng(completed / change)了le。

0805.2 In the stated argument, you你nǐto lean against凭píngwhat什么shén meto decide (to do something)决定jué dìng？ challenges someone’s grounds. Which paraphrase fits?

• A. {'en': '“thank you very much”', 'zh': '“extremely grateful非常感谢fēi cháng gǎn xiè”'}
• B. {'en': '“on what grounds? / why should …?” (a challenge)', 'zh': '“to lean against凭píngwhat什么shén me?”(to question质问zhì wèn)'}

0805.3 {'en': 'admission by ticket only凭票入场píng piào rù chǎng means “admission by ticket”.', 'zh': 'admission by ticket only凭票入场píng piào rù chǎng to express / indicate表示biǎo shì“凭票píng piàoto enter the venue进场jìn chǎng”。'}

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0805.4 A venue asks visitors to show a ticket. What does admission by ticket only凭票入场píng piào rù chǎng。 communicate?

• A. A ticket is the stated basis for admission.
• B. admission by ticket only凭票入场píng piào rù chǎng means entry is allowed without a ticket.

0805.5 to lean against凭píngthe same day当天dàng tiān有效票yǒu xiào piàoto enter the venue for a…入场rù chǎng permits an expired ticket just because it is a ticket.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0805.6 The notice says to lean against凭píngthe same day当天dàng tiān有效票yǒu xiào piàoto enter the venue for a…入场rù chǎng. Which ticket satisfies the stated validity requirement?

• A. A ticket valid for today
• B. A ticket that expired yesterday

0805.7 to lean against凭píngexperience经验jīng yàn，he / him他tāto feel / think觉得jué de这台zhè táimachine机器jī qìnot / haven't没méiquestion问题wèn tí shows the machine passed a measured safety check.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0805.8 to lean against凭píngto make an effort努力nǔ lì，he / him他tāsuccess成功chéng gōng(completed / change)了le means every person who makes an effort will succeed.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0805.9 Recall the situation: A ticket is an entry credential. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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.

as for至于zhì yú (as for / when it comes to)

0806.1 Use this lesson’s target form as for至于zhì yú in the demonstrated sentence: As for the price, later: ………… price价格jià gé，after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō。

0806.2 In as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé，after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō, what does as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé do?

• A. Raises price as a separate issue
• B. Concludes that every issue has been resolved

0806.3 In as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé，after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō, as for至于zhì yú introduces the price issue even though its discussion is postponed.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0806.4 You finish discussing quality and postpone the price discussion. What does as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé，after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō。 communicate?

• A. as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé is a final conclusion about every issue.
• B. as for至于zhì yú introduces price as the next separate topic.

0806.5 as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé is a final conclusion about every issue.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0806.6 Match the topic and comment to what is still unresolved.

• 1. as for至于zhì yúprice价格jià gé，after以后yǐ hòuto say again再说zài shuō。
• 2. as for至于zhì yúwho谁shéito come来láito be responsible for负责fù zé，we / us我们wǒ menstill / also还háinot / haven't没méito decide (to do something)决定jué dìng。

• A. Responsible person not yet chosen

• B. Price discussion postponed

0806.7 as for至于zhì yúto deliver goods送货sòng huò(concept of) time时间shí jiān，tomorrow明天míng tiānto confirm确认què rèn means that delivery itself happens tomorrow.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0806.8 Which sentence uses as for至于zhì yú to introduce the responsibility topic?

• A. unlikely to go so far as to不至于bù zhì yúso much这么zhè meexpensive贵guì(suggestion)吧ba。
• B. as for至于zhì yúwho谁shéito come来láito be responsible for负责fù zé，we / us我们wǒ menstill / also还háinot / haven't没méito decide (to do something)决定jué dìng。

0806.9 Recall the situation: Price is raised but left unresolved. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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.

to / for / give给gěi (colloquial passive)

0807.1 Use this lesson’s target form to / for / give给gěi in the demonstrated sentence: The cup got broken: cup杯子bēi zi ………… to break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le。

0807.2 In cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěito break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le, to / for / give给gěi has a passive role similar to which word?

• A. {'en': '(把: marks the object)把bǎ (disposal marker)', 'zh': '(把: marks the object)把bǎ(to handle处置chǔ zhìsign标记biāo jì)'}
• B. {'en': '(passive: by)被bèi (passive marker)', 'zh': '(passive: by)被bèi(passive被动bèi dòngsign标记biāo jì)'}

0807.3 {'en': 'Here the doer after to / for / give给gěi can be left out.', 'zh': 'here这里zhè lǐ to / for / give给gěi back后hòu(modifier / structural particle)的de(linguistics) agent施事shī shìcan / may可以kě yǐto leave out省略shěng lüè。'}

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0807.4 You find a cup broken, without naming who broke it. What does cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěito break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le。 communicate?

• A. The cup is the affected object in a colloquial passive.
• B. The cup is the person who broke something else.

0807.5 cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěito break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le shows the breaking was deliberate.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0807.6 cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěismall小xiǎoplum李lǐto break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le。 Who is named as doing the breaking?

• A. The cup
• B. Xiao Li

0807.7 Match these complete sentences to their roles.

• 1. cup杯子bēi zito / for / give给gěito break打破dǎ pò(completed / change)了le。
• 2. I / me我wǒto / for / give给gěihe / him他tā一个yí gècup杯子bēi zi。

• A. I transfer a cup to him

• B. The cup got broken; doer unnamed

0807.8 gate门ménto / for / give给gěito close (a door)关上guān shàng(completed / change)了le identifies the speaker as the person who closed the door.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0807.9 Recall the situation: The cup is affected, not the doer. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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.

then / just就jiù … 来说lái shuō (as far as … goes)

0808.1 Use this lesson’s target form then / just就jiù in the demonstrated sentence: As far as price goes, it's not expensive: ………… price价格jià gé来说lái shuō，not不bùexpensive贵guì。

0808.2 In then / just就jiùprice价格jià gé来说lái shuō，not不bùexpensive贵guì, what role does then / just就jiù have?

• A. {'en': 'then / right away (sequencing)', 'zh': 'then / just就jiù / right away马上mǎ shàng(顺承shùn chéng)'}
• B. {'en': 'as far as / speaking of (limiting scope)', 'zh': 'then / just就jiù……来说lái shuō(to restrict to限定xiàn dìngrange范围fàn wéi)'}

0808.3 {'en': 'then / just就jiù…来说lái shuō narrows the comment to a single angle.', 'zh': 'then / just就jiù……来说lái shuō (把: marks the object)把bǎto comment on评论píng lùnto withdraw缩suōto / arrive到dào一个yí gèangle角度jiǎo dù。'}

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0808.4 The price is low, although quality is still untested. What does then / just就jiùprice价格jià gé来说lái shuō，not不bùexpensive贵guì。 communicate?

• A. The sentence proves the product has good quality.
• B. The comment applies to price specifically.

0808.5 The sentence shows the product has good quality.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0808.6 Match each stated aspect to its evidence in this purchase case.

• 1. Price
• 2. Quality
• 3. Delivery

• A. Not yet tested

• B. Not expensive

• C. Takes a week

0808.7 A comparatively low price must fit every buyer’s budget.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0808.8 In I / me我wǒ吃完饭chī wán fànthen / just就jiùto walk走zǒu, what is the relevant role of then / just就jiù?

• A. It connects the events of finishing and leaving
• B. It selects the meal’s price aspect

0808.9 Recall the situation: An affordable price is one aspect. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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.

old variant of 趁趁chèn (while / taking advantage of)

0809.1 Use this lesson’s target form old variant of 趁趁chèn in the demonstrated sentence: Eat it while it's hot: ………… to warm up热rèvariant of 吃吃chī(suggestion)吧ba。

0809.2 {'en': '趁现在chèn xiàn zài means…', 'zh': '趁现在chèn xiàn zài to be / is是shìwhat什么shén meidea意思yì si?'}

• A. {'en': 'long ago', 'zh': '很久以前hěn jiǔ yǐ qián'}
• B. {'en': 'while you can / right now (seize the moment)', 'zh': '趁现在chèn xiàn zài / old variant of 趁趁chèn(coll.) now这会儿zhè huì er'}

0809.3 {'en': 'old variant of 趁趁chèn opens with the window of opportunity.', 'zh': 'old variant of 趁趁chèn to extract引出yǐn chūused in 可汗可kěto exploit利用lì yòng(modifier / structural particle)的deopportunity时机shí jī。'}

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0809.4 Food is still hot and should be eaten now. What does 趁热chèn rèvariant of 吃吃chī(suggestion)吧ba。 communicate?

• A. 趁热chèn rè says the food was eaten only after it cooled.
• B. The hot state is a favourable window for eating.

0809.5 趁热chèn rèvariant of 吃吃chī(suggestion)吧ba reports that the speaker has already finished the meal.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0809.6 A break ends at 12:30. A twenty-minute task starts at 12:20. How many minutes after the break ends will the task finish?

0809.7 Which sentence explicitly uses the pause in rain as an opportunity for action?

• A. 雨停yǔ tíng(modifier / structural particle)的detime时候shí hòu，we / us我们wǒ menat / in在zàirail station车站chē zhàn。
• B. 趁雨chèn yǔto stop停tíng(completed / change)了le，quickly赶快gǎn kuàito return home回家huí jiā。

0809.8 If the food has already cooled, the original 趁热chèn rèvariant of 吃吃chī(suggestion)吧ba shows it has been reheated.

True or false? Explain or repair the statement.

0809.9 Recall the situation: Eat during the useful window. Decide what the speaker wanted to communicate. 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 learner reads I / me我wǒto / for / give给gěiteacher老师lǎo shīto write a letter写信xiě xìn as evidence that a physical object has already been handed over. Correct the inference.

R2. Use it yourself. State the basis for admission and a useful action to do while an opportunity lasts.

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