Conditional statements

Use the examples with their context and limits. Recall a sentence before reading the model. Original teaching additions accompany examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA); see the course reference provenance.

只要 … ，就 … (as long as)

Distinguish enough from required

• A class rule says submitting the form is enough to join.
• 只要交表，就能参加。 — Submitting the form is presented as sufficient under this rule.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 只要 … ，就 … (as long as). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

as long as只要zhǐ yàowork hard努力nǔ lì，then就jiùhave有yǒuhope希望xī wàng。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 只要交表，就能参加。: Submitting the form is presented as sufficient under this rule.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• A sufficient condition need not be the only route.
• The grammar expresses the stated rule rather than proving that the rule holds in every real situation.

Use the distinction

• Submitting the form is presented as sufficient under this rule.
• A sufficient condition need not be the only route. The grammar expresses the stated rule rather than proving that the rule holds in every real situation.

Try it with help closed

A class rule says submitting the form is enough to join. 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.

One possible response: 只要交表，就能参加。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• A sufficient condition need not be the only route.
• The grammar expresses the stated rule rather than proving that the rule holds in every real situation.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

除非 … ，才 … (only if / unless)

A requirement need not be the sole requirement

• You will not go unless a friend goes.
• 除非你去，我才去。 — The friend's going is treated as necessary for your going.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 除非 … ，才 … (only if / unless). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

unless除非chú fēiyou你nǐgo去qù，I我wǒonly then才cáigo去qù。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 除非你去，我才去。: The friend's going is treated as necessary for your going.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• This does not guarantee you will go whenever the friend does; other obstacles may remain.
• 除非…否则… gives another common way to state the restriction.

Use the distinction

• The friend's going is treated as necessary for your going.
• This does not guarantee you will go whenever the friend does; other obstacles may remain. 除非…否则… gives another common way to state the restriction.

Try it with help closed

You will not go unless a friend goes. 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.

One possible response: 除非你去，我才去。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• This does not guarantee you will go whenever the friend does; other obstacles may remain.
• 除非…否则… gives another common way to state the restriction.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.