别说 … ，就是 … 也 … (let alone) · 别说⋯⋯，就是⋯⋯也⋯⋯
Use the stronger candidate to support the weaker inference
- A puzzle defeats even adults, so children are unlikely to solve it.
- 别说孩子，就是大人也不会。 — Failure by the normally more capable group supports the claim about children.
Use the stronger candidate to support the weaker inference
- A puzzle defeats even adults, so children are unlikely to solve it.
- to say nothing of别说child孩子，exactly就是adult大人also也improbable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 别说 … ，就是 … 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。
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is to say nothing of别说 … ，exactly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. · 别说 + A,就是 + B + 也…… = 别说……就是……也……:别说孩子,就是大人也不会。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, 别说孩子，就是大人也不会。: 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.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, to say nothing of别说child孩子，exactly就是adult大人also也improbable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? · 这个句型起什么作用?
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. · 这个句型里 就是 + B 后接 也。
Yes — 别说…，就是…也…. · 对 —— 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.