别说 … ，就是 … 也 … (let alone)
IntroducedUse the stronger candidate to support the weaker inference
- A puzzle defeats even adults, so children are unlikely to solve it.
- let alone别说children孩子，even就是adults大人also也can't不会。 — Failure by the normally more capable group supports the claim about children.
A puzzle defeats even adults, so children are unlikely to solve it. What does 别说孩子，就是大人也不会。 communicate?
Failure by the normally more capable group supports the claim about children. The relevant ability scale must come from the context. In this example, adults are not the harder task; they are the stronger candidates attempting the same task.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is let alone别说 … ，even就是 … also也 … (let alone). 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.
let alone别说children孩子，even就是adults大人also也can't不会。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Let alone kids, even adults can't: ____ 孩子，就是大人也不会。
别说 + A，就是 + B + 也 … = let alone A, even B …: 别说孩子,就是大人也不会.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, let alone别说children孩子，even就是adults大人also也can't不会。: Failure by the normally more capable group supports the claim about children.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does this pattern do?
Adults are treated as the stronger candidates for this task. Their failure supports the expectation that children also cannot do it.
Know the boundary
- The relevant ability scale must come from the context.
- In this example, adults are not the harder task; they are the stronger candidates attempting the same task.
就是 + B is followed by 也 in this pattern.
Yes — 别说…，就是…也….
In the opening situation: Failure by the normally more capable group supports the claim about children.
The relevant ability scale must come from the context. In this example, adults are not the harder task; they are the stronger candidates attempting the same task. Failure by the normally more capable group supports the claim about children.
Use the distinction
- Failure by the normally more capable group supports the claim about children.
- The relevant ability scale must come from the context. In this example, adults are not the harder task; they are the stronger candidates attempting the same task.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Let alone.
A puzzle defeats even adults, so children are unlikely to solve 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.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.