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.
if假如 … ，then / just就 … (if / supposing)
Try when an opportunity arises
- A friend wants to join a workshop but does not yet have a place. if假如to have / there is有opportunity机会，then / just就to go去试试。 — if there is an opportunity, give it a try.
- The advice sets a possible condition. It does not announce that a place has already been offered or that trying guarantees success.
Put the condition before the response
- if假如 + condition，…then / just就 + response links a supposed situation with a result, plan or suggestion.
- In the original example, to have / there is有opportunity机会 is the condition and to go去试试 is the suggested response. Read the response as advice, not as an action already completed.
supposing假如have有chance机会，then就go去try试试。
Update the actual condition
- if假如tomorrow明天to have time (to do sth)有空，we / us我们then / just就to go去to look around参观。 — if we are free tomorrow, we will go and visit — uses tomorrow’s availability.
- A later message says everyone is free today but busy tomorrow. Today’s free time does not establish the tomorrow condition.
Do not require then / just就 everywhere
- if假如you你to have time (to do sth)有空，we / us我们in the same place一起to go去(suggestion)吧。 — if you have free time, let us go together — is an invitation without then / just就.
- then / just就 is a common partner, not a compulsory word in every conditional. The complete second clause still supplies a meaningful response.
Separate if from even if
- if假如to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去。 changes the plan if it rains. exactly就是to rain下雨，I / me我also也to go去。 keeps going despite possible rain.
- A plain if-condition does not report that rain is certain. It also does not list every possible reason a person might choose not to go.
Read condition, response and evidence
- Identify the supposed case and the proposed result or action. Check that any later evidence concerns the same people, time and condition.
- Keep advice separate from guaranteed success. Do not require then / just就 everywhere or turn an if-condition into a weather report or a complete list of causes.
Practise this pattern step by step.
just in case万一 … what's to be done怎么办? (what if)
Ask for a backup before the picnic
- A picnic group asks just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？ — what should we do if it rains? They raise rain as a possible problem to prepare for.
- The question asks for a response. It supplies neither a rain forecast nor a ready-made backup location.
Give the question a response
- just in case万一 + possible problem + what's to be done怎么办？ asks what to do if the problem occurs. A response can give a separate conditional plan.
- For this fictional group, just in case万一to rain下雨，we / us我们then / just就to go去indoor室内to exercise活动。 means they plan an indoor activity in that case. It does not say the activity has happened.
what if万一rain下雨what to do怎么办？
Check whether a backup is usable
- The group suggests a school room, but its booking has not been confirmed. just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？ does not itself grant permission to use that room.
- A complete plan needs the room’s availability and the group’s agreed action. Asking the contingency question is only the start.
Prepare without pretending to measure
- just in case万一I / me我晚到(completed / change)了，you你advanced (technology)先进to go去(suggestion)吧。 — in case I arrive late, go in first — prepares for lateness without making it certain.
- just in case万一 commonly raises a possibility the speaker treats as unlikely or troublesome. It gives no measured rate and need not mean the worst event imaginable.
A question and a report do different jobs
- just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？ raises a contingency. already已经to rain下雨(completed / change)了。 reports that rain has started.
- If a later report confirms rain, use the agreed response and check current facts. The earlier question alone was not evidence of rain.
Separate possibility from preparation
- Name the possible problem, then distinguish asking what to do from specifying an action and confirming it can be carried out.
- Do not turn just in case万一 into exactly one chance in ten thousand, a forecast, permission to use a room or proof that the backup has already happened.
Practise this pattern step by step.
Clause + if (coming after a…的话 (if / conditional frame)
Ask to be told if a friend goes
- A friend has not decided whether to join a visit. you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。 — if you go, let me know.
- The speaker asks for a message in the going case. The sentence does not confirm the friend’s decision or require a telephone call.
Place if (coming after a…的话 after the condition
- Condition clause + if (coming after a…的话，response puts if (coming after a…的话 after the case being supposed: you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。
- if如果you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。 can add if如果 before the same condition. The two markers can work together.
you你go去if的话，call叫me我(a shout)一声。
Read a changed condition
- you你not不to go去if (coming after a…的话，to tell告诉I / me我。 — if you do not go, tell me — attaches the request to not going.
- Keep not不 inside the condition. It does not mean do not tell me; the requested response remains to tell告诉I / me我.
Do not mistake someone’s words for if
- I我understood what was said听懂completed action了his (here)他possessive marker的words话。 — I understood his words — uses a possessive phrase meaning his words. There is no conditional response here.
- A phrase such as price价格if (coming after a…的话，I / me我to feel / think觉得太高(completed / change)了。 can frame price as the topic. Its context differs from a complete going condition followed by a request.
Keep tone and timing in context
- The conditional marker if (coming after a…的话 alone does not make every request polite. Tone, the request itself and the relationship still matter.
- variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声 asks to be told in this conversation. It does not specify an exact minute, promise that a message was sent or prove that the friend already went.
Locate the whole condition
- Read the clause before if (coming after a…的话, including any negative word, and the response after it. if如果 may appear before that clause too.
- Use the complete sentence to separate a condition, a topic frame and a noun phrase meaning someone’s words. None alone proves completed action.
Practise this pattern step by step.
Practice without the models
if假如 … ，then / just就 … (if / supposing)
1501.1 Use the lesson target if假如 in this example: If there's a chance, give it a try: ………… to have / there is有opportunity机会，then / just就to go去试试。
1501.2 {'en': 'if假如 is closest to…', 'zh': 'if假如 most最to approach接近……'}
- A. {'en': 'if如果 (if)', 'zh': 'if如果(if如果)'}
- B. {'en': 'although虽然 (although)', 'zh': 'although虽然(although虽然)'}
1501.3 Every sentence beginning if假如 must include then / just就 in the result clause.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1501.4 You advise a friend to try if an opportunity arises. What does if假如to have / there is有opportunity机会，then / just就to go去试试。 communicate?
- A. if假如to have / there is有opportunity机会 guarantees an opportunity is already available.
- B. The opportunity is a hypothetical condition for trying.
1501.5 if假如to have / there is有opportunity机会，then / just就to go去试试。 means that trying will succeed.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1501.6 The plan is if假如tomorrow明天to have time (to do sth)有空，we / us我们then / just就to go去to look around参观。 A later message says free today, busy tomorrow. Is today’s availability evidence for the named condition?
- A. Yes: free today establishes free tomorrow
- B. No: the condition concerns tomorrow, which the new message says is busy
1501.7 Match the complete sentence to its relationship.
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- if假如to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去。
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- exactly就是to rain下雨，I / me我also也to go去。
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- if假如you你to have time (to do sth)有空，we / us我们in the same place一起to go去(suggestion)吧。
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A. Go despite possible rain
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B. If rain occurs, do not go
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C. Invite going together if there is free time
1501.8 if假如to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去。 establishes that rain is the only possible reason for not going.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1501.9 Recall the situation: Try when an opportunity arises. 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.
just in case万一 … what's to be done怎么办? (what if)
1502.1 Use the lesson target just in case万一 in this example: What if it rains? ………… to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办?
1502.2 In the picnic question just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？, rain is presented as…
- A. A confirmed current weather observation
- B. A possible problem to prepare for
1502.3 In just in case万一I / me我晚到(completed / change)了，you你advanced (technology)先进to go去(suggestion)吧。, the second clause gives a response rather than asking what's to be done怎么办.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1502.4 A picnic group considers a backup plan for rain. What does just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？ communicate?
- A. just in case万一 gives an exact measured probability of rain.
- B. The speaker raises a possible problem and asks what to do.
1502.5 just in case万一 gives an exact measured probability of rain.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1502.6 A group asks just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？ and suggests a school room. Its booking is unconfirmed. What still needs checking?
- A. Nothing: just in case万一 automatically reserves the room
- B. Whether the room is available and its use is agreed
1502.7 Match the sentence to its job.
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- just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？
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- just in case万一to rain下雨，we / us我们then / just就to go去indoor室内to exercise活动。
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- already已经to rain下雨(completed / change)了。
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A. State a conditional backup plan
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B. Report actual rain
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C. Ask for a contingency response
1502.8 just in case万一to rain下雨，we / us我们then / just就to go去indoor室内to exercise活动。 establishes that the indoor activity has already happened.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1502.9 Recall the situation: Ask for a backup before the picnic. 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.
Clause + if (coming after a…的话 (if / conditional frame)
1503.1 Use the lesson target if (coming after a…的话 in this example: If you go, give me a shout: you你to go去 …………，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。
1503.2 In you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。, the clause before if (coming after a…的话 gives…
- A. The condition for the requested message
- B. Proof that the requested message was already sent
1503.3 {'en': 'if (coming after a…的话 can team up with if如果 (if如果…if (coming after a…的话，…).', 'zh': 'if (coming after a…的话 used in 可汗可and / with与 if如果 to pair up搭配(if如果……if (coming after a…的话,……)。'}
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1503.4 You ask a friend to call if they decide to go. What does you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。 communicate?
- A. The requested call depends on the friend's going.
- B. if (coming after a…的话 guarantees that the friend has already gone.
1503.5 you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。 requires the friend to use a telephone rather than tell the speaker in person.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1503.6 A friend says you你not不to go去if (coming after a…的话，to tell告诉I / me我。 Which part is negative?
- A. The response: the listener is told not to send a message
- B. The going condition; telling the speaker is still requested
1503.7 Match each complete sentence to the job of its phrase.
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- you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。
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- price价格if (coming after a…的话，I / me我to feel / think觉得太高(completed / change)了。
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- I / me我to understand (on hearing)听懂(completed / change)了he / him他if (coming after a…的话。
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A. Condition followed by a request
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B. His words as a noun phrase
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C. Price used as a topic frame
1503.8 you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。 establishes that the friend has already gone and sent the requested message.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
1503.9 Recall the situation: Ask to be told if a friend goes. 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.
Answers and explanations
if假如 … ，then / just就 … (if / supposing)
1501.1 {'en': 'if假如', 'zh': 'if假如'}
{'en': 'if假如 … ，then / just就 … = if / supposing: if假如to have / there is有opportunity机会,then / just就to go去试试.', 'zh': 'if假如……,then / just就…… = if假如:if假如to have / there is有opportunity机会,then / just就to go去试试。'}
1501.2 A. {'en': 'if如果 (if)', 'zh': 'if如果(if如果)'}
{'en': 'if假如 ≈ if如果, a touch more formal / hypothetical.', 'zh': 'if假如 ≈ if如果,variant of 略略in writing书面 / to suppose假设。'}
1501.3 False.
then / just就 is a common partner, not obligatory in every conditional: if假如you你to have time (to do sth)有空，we / us我们in the same place一起to go去(suggestion)吧 is natural.
1501.4 B. The opportunity is a hypothetical condition for trying.
The opportunity is a hypothetical condition for trying. then / just就 is common in the result clause, but not mandatory in every if假如 sentence. The condition is not a statement that the opportunity already exists.
1501.5 False.
The advice names a condition for trying; it does not guarantee the outcome of the attempt.
1501.6 B. No: the condition concerns tomorrow, which the new message says is busy
Keep the time in the condition. Today’s availability does not establish tomorrow’s availability.
1501.7 1–B: if假如to rain下雨，I / me我then / just就not不to go去。 = If rain occurs, do not go; 2–A: exactly就是to rain下雨，I / me我also也to go去。 = Go despite possible rain; 3–C: if假如you你to have time (to do sth)有空，we / us我们in the same place一起to go去(suggestion)吧。 = Invite going together if there is free time
The if-condition, even-if concession and conditional invitation state different responses.
1501.8 False.
This statement gives one conditional response. It does not rule out every other possible reason for not going.
1501.9 One possible response: if假如to have / there is有opportunity机会，then / just就to go去试试。
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.
- if假如you你to have time (to do sth)有空，we / us我们in the same place一起to go去(suggestion)吧。 – if you have free time, let us go together – is an invitation without then / just就.
- then / just就 is a common partner, not a compulsory word in every conditional. The complete second clause still supplies a meaningful response.
- 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.
just in case万一 … what's to be done怎么办? (what if)
1502.1 {'en': 'just in case万一', 'zh': 'just in case万一'}
{'en': 'just in case万一 … what's to be done怎么办? = what if …?: just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办?', 'zh': 'just in case万一……what's to be done怎么办? = just in case万一……what's to be done怎么办?:just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办?'}
1502.2 B. A possible problem to prepare for
The question prepares for a possible problem, not an observed fact. just in case万一 does not give an exact probability.
1502.3 True.
The first clause raises possible lateness; you你advanced (technology)先进to go去(suggestion)吧 suggests what the listener should do. just in case万一 is not restricted to questions ending what's to be done怎么办.
1502.4 B. The speaker raises a possible problem and asks what to do.
The speaker raises a possible problem and asks what to do. just in case万一 often frames a contingency worth preparing for. It does not mean exactly one chance in ten thousand or provide any numerical probability.
1502.5 False.
just in case万一 often frames a contingency worth preparing for. It does not mean exactly one chance in ten thousand or provide any numerical probability. The speaker raises a possible problem and asks what to do.
1502.6 B. Whether the room is available and its use is agreed
Raising a contingency does not reserve a room or establish permission to use it.
1502.7 1–C: just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？ = Ask for a contingency response; 2–A: just in case万一to rain下雨，we / us我们then / just就to go去indoor室内to exercise活动。 = State a conditional backup plan; 3–B: already已经to rain下雨(completed / change)了。 = Report actual rain
A question, a proposed response and an actual-weather report supply different information.
1502.8 False.
The sentence supplies a conditional plan, not a completed-action report.
1502.9 One possible response: just in case万一to rain下雨what's to be done怎么办？
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.
- just in case万一I / me我晚到(completed / change)了，you你advanced (technology)先进to go去(suggestion)吧。 – in case I arrive late, go in first – prepares for lateness without making it certain.
- just in case万一 commonly raises a possibility the speaker treats as unlikely or troublesome. It gives no measured rate and need not mean the worst event imaginable.
- 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.
Clause + if (coming after a…的话 (if / conditional frame)
1503.1 {'en': 'if (coming after a…的话', 'zh': 'if (coming after a…的话'}
{'en': 'A condition clause followed by if (coming after a…的话 can introduce an if-case: you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。', 'zh': 'condition条件小句后接“if (coming after a…的话”to extract引出to suppose假设condition条件：you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。'}
1503.2 A. The condition for the requested message
you你to go去 is the case being supposed. if (coming after a…的话 does not mark a completed message.
1503.3 True.
{'en': 'Yes – if如果you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我.', 'zh': 'to / towards / correct对 –– if如果you你to go去if (coming after a…的话,variant of 叫叫I / me我。'}
1503.4 A. The requested call depends on the friend's going.
The requested call depends on the friend's going. if (coming after a…的话 follows the condition; if如果 can also be used before it. Tone and relationship determine politeness, not if (coming after a…的话 alone.
1503.5 False.
variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声 means let me know in this context. The sentence does not specify a telephone.
1503.6 B. The going condition; telling the speaker is still requested
not不 belongs to you你not不to go去. to tell告诉I / me我 remains the requested response in that not-going case.
1503.7 1–A: you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。 = Condition followed by a request; 2–C: price价格if (coming after a…的话，I / me我to feel / think觉得太高(completed / change)了。 = Price used as a topic frame; 3–B: I / me我to understand (on hearing)听懂(completed / change)了he / him他if (coming after a…的话。 = His words as a noun phrase
Read the entire sentence: the same characters if (coming after a…的话 do not make every phrase an if-condition.
1503.8 False.
The statement requests a message in the going case; it reports neither decision nor completion.
1503.9 One possible response: you你to go去if (coming after a…的话，variant of 叫叫I / me我first tone in Mandarin…一声。
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.
- I我understood what was said听懂completed action了his (here)他possessive marker的words话。 – I understood his words – uses a possessive phrase meaning his words. There is no conditional response here.
- A phrase such as price价格if (coming after a…的话，I / me我to feel / think觉得太高(completed / change)了。 can frame price as the topic. Its context differs from a complete going condition followed by a request.
- 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.