连 … 都 … ，何况 … (even …, let alone …)
If experts fail, spare the rookies
- to link连 … all / both都 / also也 … ，let alone何况 … = "even …, let alone …".
- to link连adult大人all / both都to make做not to arrive不到，let alone何况child孩子 = "even adults can't do it, let alone children."
- The first half cites a hard case; let alone何况 adds an even harder one.
to link连 … all / both都 … ，let alone何况 …
- to link连…all / both都…，let alone何况… argues from the strong case to the stronger.
even连experts专家even都not不understand懂，let alone何况us我们。
- to link连expert专家all / both都not不to understand懂，let alone何况we / us我们 = "even experts don't get it, let alone us."
Explore
Correct or broken?
连 X 都 …，何况 Y — if even X fails, Y goes without saying.
Practice
Even experts don't get it, let alone us: 连专家都不懂，____ 我们。
连 … 都 … ，何况 … = even …, let alone …: 连专家都不懂,何况我们.
Practice
连…都… sets up the strong case; 何况 adds the stronger.
Yes — 连大人都做不到，何况孩子.
Recap
Key idea
- to link连 … all / both都 … ，let alone何况 … — "even …, let alone …"
- to link连adult大人all / both都to make做not to arrive不到，let alone何况child孩子
- The let alone何况 part is even harder than the cited case
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Let alone.
Practice
The 何况 part is…
If even the hard case holds, the 何况 one certainly does.