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.
besides除了 … all / both都 / still / also还 (except / besides)
Everyone except me
- Your whole class went to the concert, but you were ill at home.
- besides除了I / me我，everyone大家all / both都to go去(completed / change)了。 — "Everyone went except me."
besides除了 A (apart from以外)，all / both都 … = except A
- besides除了 A，(B) all / both都 … = "except for A, all …": A is left out of the group.
- apart from以外 can follow A: besides除了I / me我apart from以外. The all / both都 is needed in this meaning.
except除了Sunday星期天，I我every day每天all都work上班。
besides除了 A，still / also还 / also也 … = besides A
- besides除了 A，still / also还 B = "besides A, also B": A is included and more is added.
- besides除了Chinese language中文，he / him他still / also还can / will会variant of 说说Japanese language日语。 — "Besides Chinese, he can also speak Japanese."
besides除了Chinese中文，he他also还can会speak说Japanese日语。
all / both都 excludes, still / also还 adds
- besides除了I / me我，everyone大家all / both都to go去(completed / change)了 = I did not go. besides除了I / me我，small小plum李also也to go去(completed / change)了 = Xiao Li went as well as me.
- Put all / both都 / still / also还 / also也 after the subject of the second clause: everyone大家all / both都to go去(completed / change)了, not all / both都everyone大家to go去(completed / change)了.
With a verb phrase
- besides除了 can take an action: weekend周末besides除了to read看书，I / me我still / also还to like喜欢to run跑步。 — "At weekends, besides reading, I also like running."
- he / him他besides除了variant of 吃吃exactly就是to sleep睡。 — "All he does is eat and sleep." (except eating, it is sleeping)
he他apart from除了eating吃it's just就是sleeping睡。
Recap
- besides除了 A (apart from以外)，all / both都 … = except A (A is left out).
- besides除了 A (apart from以外)，still / also还 / also也 … = besides A (A plus more).
Practise this pattern step by step.
if如果 … if (coming after a…的话 (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tomorrow明天to rain下雨if (coming after a…的话，we / us我们then / just就to be at home在家to see看movie电影。 — "If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay home and watch a film."
if如果 + condition + if (coming after a…的话
- if如果…if (coming after a…的话 = "if …". if (coming after a…的话 closes the condition; either word may be dropped in speech.
- if如果to rain下雨, to rain下雨if (coming after a…的话, if如果to rain下雨if (coming after a…的话 all mean "if it rains".
rain下雨if的话，I我then就not不go去了。
Offers and advice
- you你to have / there is有question问题if (coming after a…的话，can / may可以to ask问I / me我。 — "If you have any questions, you can ask me."
- if如果you你rope累(completed / change)了if (coming after a…的话，then / just就rest休息(used after a verb) give it…一下。 — "If you're tired, have a rest."
you你have有questions问题if的话，can可以ask问me我。
The condition comes first
- Put the if如果 clause before the result: if如果you你to have / there is有(concept of) time时间，to come来to try to find找I / me我, not to come来to try to find找I / me我if如果you你to have / there is有(concept of) time时间 (English order).
- if (coming after a…的话 goes at the end of the condition, not after the result.
if要是 in speech
- if要是 is a spoken "if": if要是you你unexpectedly不想to go去if (coming after a…的话，then / just就别去了。
- It works with if (coming after a…的话 and then / just就 exactly like if如果.
if要是you你don't不want to想go去，then就don't别go去了。
Recap
- if如果 / if要是 … (if (coming after a…的话)，(then / just就) … = if …, then …; either if如果 or if (coming after a…的话 may be dropped.
- The condition comes first, if (coming after a…的话 closes it.
Practise this pattern step by step.
if如果 … ，then / just就 … (if …, then …)
If the tickets are cheap
- You and a friend are checking flights for the holiday.
- if如果air ticket机票cheap便宜，we / us我们then / just就to go去Hainan Province, in the…海南。 — "If the plane tickets are cheap, we'll go to Hainan."
if如果 A，(Subject) then / just就 B
- if如果 A，then / just就 B = "if A, then B". then / just就 links the result to the condition.
- then / just就 goes after the subject of the result clause: if如果you你to come来，I / me我then / just就degree / adjective linker很happy高兴.
if如果you你come来，I我then就very很happy高兴。
Plans, warnings, advice
- Warning: if如果you你not不erhua variant of 快点快点儿，then / just就can / will会to arrive late迟到。 — "If you don't hurry, you'll be late."
- Advice: if如果you你not不comfortable舒服，then / just就to go去to see看doctor医生(suggestion)吧。 — "If you're not well, go and see a doctor."
if如果you你don't不hurry快a bit点儿，then就will会be late迟到。
then / just就 after the subject
- Subject first, then then / just就: I / me我then / just就to go去, not then / just就I / me我to go去.
- Do not use so / therefore所以 for "then" after if如果: if如果to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去, not if如果to rain下雨，so / therefore所以I / me我not不to go去.
if如果 versus because因为
- if如果 is a possibility that may or may not happen: if如果to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去.
- because因为 is a fact that already holds: because因为to rain下雨，so / therefore所以I / me我not / haven't没to go去.
because因为it rained下雨，so所以I我didn't没go去。
Recap
- if如果 A，Subject + then / just就 + B = if A, then B.
- then / just就 follows the subject; if如果 pairs with then / just就, because因为 with so / therefore所以.
Practise this pattern step by step.
not only (... but also ...)不但 … ，moreover而且 … (not only … but also)
Not only cheap
- You are recommending a new restaurant to a friend who is hard to please.
- 这家restaurant饭馆not only (... but also ...)不但cheap便宜，moreover而且degree / adjective linker很to be fond of eating好吃。 — "This restaurant isn't only cheap, it's also delicious."
not only (... but also ...)不但 A，moreover而且 B
- not only (... but also ...)不但 A，moreover而且 B = "not only A, but also B": B adds a further, often stronger, point.
- moreover而且 can be followed by still / also还 or also也: moreover而且still / also还degree / adjective linker很to be fond of eating好吃.
she她not only不但can会sing唱歌，but also而且can会dance跳舞。
One subject or two
- Same subject: subject first, then not only (... but also ...)不但: he / him他not only (... but also ...)不但intelligent聪明，moreover而且degree / adjective linker很to make an effort努力。 — "He's not only clever but also hard-working."
- Different subjects: not only (... but also ...)不但 before the first subject: not only (... but also ...)不但I / me我to like喜欢，moreover而且I / me我friend朋友also也to like喜欢。 — "Not only do I like it, my friend does too."
not only不但I我like it喜欢，but also而且my我friend朋友too也likes it喜欢。
Where not only (... but also ...)不但 goes
- One subject: he / him他not only (... but also ...)不但intelligent聪明, not not only (... but also ...)不但he / him他intelligent聪明.
- Two subjects: not only (... but also ...)不但I / me我to like喜欢，moreover而且he / him他also也to like喜欢 — not only (... but also ...)不但 goes before the first subject.
moreover而且 alone, and not just不仅
- moreover而且 can stand alone to add a point: weather天气degree / adjective linker很cold冷，moreover而且to snow下雪(completed / change)了 — "It's cold, and it's snowing too."
- not just不仅 is a more written synonym of not only (... but also ...)不但: not just不仅…moreover而且….
the weather天气very很cold冷，and also而且snow下雪了。
Recap
- not only (... but also ...)不但 A，moreover而且 B = not only A, but also B.
- One subject: after it; two subjects: before the first. moreover而且 can stand alone; not just不仅 is more formal.
Practise this pattern step by step.
Practice without the models
besides除了 … all / both都 / still / also还 (except / besides)
0711.1 Complete: “Besides tea, I also drink coffee.” besides除了tea茶，I / me我…………喝咖啡。
0711.2 In besides除了小王，we / us我们all / both都to like喜欢variant of 吃吃hot (spicy)辣(modifier / structural particle)的, 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Sunday星期天 / I / me我every day每天 / all / both都to go to work上班。 / ，
0711.4 besides除了Chinese language中文，he / him他still / also还can / will会variant of 说说Japanese language日语 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 … if (coming after a…的话 (if …)
0712.1 Complete: “If you have time, come to my place.” you你to have / there is有(concept of) time时间…………，to come来我家(suggestion)吧。
0712.2 Which sentence has natural Chinese word order?
- A. we / us我们to go去park (for public recreation)公园，if如果tomorrow明天weather天气good好if (coming after a…的话。
- B. if如果tomorrow明天weather天气good好if (coming after a…的话，we / us我们to go去park (for public recreation)公园。
- C. if (coming after a…的话tomorrow明天weather天气good好，we / us我们to go去park (for public recreation)公园。
- D. we / us我们if如果to go去park (for public recreation)公园if (coming after a…的话，tomorrow明天weather天气good好。
0712.3 Build: “If you have any questions, you can ask me.”
Arrange all chunks: if (coming after a…的话 / to ask问I / me我。 / you你to have / there is有question问题 / ，can / may可以
0712.4 if要是 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 … ，then / just就 … (if …, then …)
0713.1 Complete: “If you come, I'll cook for you.” if如果you你to come来，I / me我…………to / for / give给you你to prepare a meal做饭。
0713.2 Which sentence is correct?
- A. to rain下雨if如果，I / me我then / just就not不to go去。
- B. if如果to rain下雨，then / just就I / me我not不to go去。
- C. if如果to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去。
- D. if如果to rain下雨，so / therefore所以I / me我not不to go去。
0713.3 Build: “If you're not well, go and see a doctor.”
Arrange all chunks: ， / to see看doctor医生(suggestion)吧。 / if如果you你not不comfortable舒服 / then / just就to go去
0713.4 because因为to rain下雨 describes a possibility; if如果to rain下雨 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 … ，moreover而且 … (not only … but also)
0714.1 Complete: “He not only speaks Chinese, but also speaks French.” he / him他not only (... but also ...)不但can / will会variant of 说说Chinese language中文，…………can / will会variant of 说说French (language)法语。
0714.2 Which sentence is correct?
- A. he / him他not only (... but also ...)不但degree / adjective linker很high高，很帅moreover而且。
- B. he / him他degree / adjective linker很high高not only (... but also ...)不但，moreover而且很帅。
- C. not only (... but also ...)不但he / him他degree / adjective linker很high高，moreover而且很帅。
- D. he / him他not only (... but also ...)不但degree / adjective linker很high高，moreover而且很帅。
0714.3 Build: “Not only do I like it, my friend does too.”
Arrange all chunks: ， / moreover而且I / me我friend朋友 / also也to like喜欢。 / not only (... but also ...)不但I / me我to like喜欢
0714.4 moreover而且 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.
Answers and explanations
besides除了 … all / both都 / still / also还 (except / besides)
0711.1 still / also还
besides除了…still / also还… adds to A.
0711.2 D. No, he is the exception.
besides除了…all / both都… leaves Xiao Wang out of the group.
0711.3 besides除了Sunday星期天，I / me我every day每天all / both都to go to work上班。
besides除了 A，subject + all / both都 + verb.
0711.4 True.
still / also还 adds to what besides除了 introduced.
0711.5 One possible response: besides除了I / me我，everyone大家all / both都to go去(completed / change)了。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- besides除了I / me我，everyone大家all / both都to go去(completed / change)了 = I did not go. besides除了I / me我，small小plum李also也to go去(completed / change)了 = Xiao Li went as well as me.
- Put all / both都 / still / also还 / also也 after the subject of the second clause: everyone大家all / both都to go去(completed / change)了, not all / both都everyone大家to go去(completed / change)了.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
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.
if如果 … if (coming after a…的话 (if …)
0712.1 if (coming after a…的话
if (coming after a…的话 closes the condition.
0712.2 B. if如果tomorrow明天weather天气good好if (coming after a…的话，we / us我们to go去park (for public recreation)公园。
The condition comes first.
0712.3 you你to have / there is有question问题if (coming after a…的话，can / may可以to ask问I / me我。
Condition + if (coming after a…的话, then the result.
0712.4 True.
if要是…(if (coming after a…的话) works like if如果.
0712.5 One possible response: if如果tomorrow明天to rain下雨if (coming after a…的话，we / us我们then / just就to be at home在家to see看movie电影。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Put the if如果 clause before the result: if如果you你to have / there is有(concept of) time时间，to come来to try to find找I / me我, not to come来to try to find找I / me我if如果you你to have / there is有(concept of) time时间 (English order).
- if (coming after a…的话 goes at the end of the condition, not after the result.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
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.
if如果 … ，then / just就 … (if …, then …)
0713.1 then / just就
if如果…，subject + then / just就….
0713.2 C. if如果to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去。
if如果 pairs with then / just就, placed after the subject.
0713.3 if如果you你not不comfortable舒服，then / just就to go去to see看doctor医生(suggestion)吧。
if如果 + condition, then / just就 + advice.
0713.4 False.
It is the other way round: because因为 = a fact, if如果 = a possibility.
0713.5 One possible response: if如果air ticket机票cheap便宜，we / us我们then / just就to go去Hainan Province, in the…海南。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Subject first, then then / just就: I / me我then / just就to go去, not then / just就I / me我to go去.
- Do not use so / therefore所以 for "then" after if如果: if如果to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去, not if如果to rain下雨，so / therefore所以I / me我not不to go去.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
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.
not only (... but also ...)不但 … ，moreover而且 … (not only … but also)
0714.1 moreover而且
not only (... but also ...)不但 A，moreover而且 B.
0714.2 D. he / him他not only (... but also ...)不但degree / adjective linker很high高，moreover而且很帅。
With one subject, not only (... but also ...)不但 follows the subject.
0714.3 not only (... but also ...)不但I / me我to like喜欢，moreover而且I / me我friend朋友also也to like喜欢。
Two subjects: not only (... but also ...)不但 before the first.
0714.4 True.
weather天气degree / adjective linker很cold冷，moreover而且to snow下雪(completed / change)了.
0714.5 One possible response: 这家restaurant饭馆not only (... but also ...)不但cheap便宜，moreover而且degree / adjective linker很to be fond of eating好吃。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- One subject: he / him他not only (... but also ...)不但intelligent聪明, not not only (... but also ...)不但he / him他intelligent聪明.
- Two subjects: not only (... but also ...)不但I / me我to like喜欢，moreover而且he / him他also也to like喜欢 – not only (... but also ...)不但 goes before the first subject.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
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.