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Level Proficient Chinese · HSK 7–9

Linking in Writing: 因…而, 而, 则, 且, 亦, 皆, 所 and 无非

Where spoken Chinese uses two-character words (而且, 也, 都, 那么), formal prose often uses single classical characters (且, 亦, 皆, 则). They make writing tighter and more balanced, and they're what gives an editorial or academic paper its texture.

因…而… and 而 in full

因 A 而 B (yīn A ér B) means 'B happens because of A': 因病而缺席 (absent through illness). The cause is short; the result follows 而.

而 (ér) joins two predicates with several meanings. Addition: 简单而有效 (simple and effective). Contrast: 有其名而无其实 (in name but not in reality). Manner, linking how to what: 匆匆而去 (left in a hurry). Purpose or result: 为…而奋斗 (fight for …).

  • 比赛因天气原因而推迟。

    Bǐsài yīn tiānqì yuányīn ér tuīchí.

    The match has been postponed because of the weather.

  • 这个方法简单而有效。

    Zhège fāngfǎ jiǎndān ér yǒuxiào.

    This method is simple and effective.

  • 他为理想而奋斗了一生。

    Tā wèi lǐxiǎng ér fèndòule yìshēng.

    He fought for his ideals all his life.

则, 且, 亦, 皆 and 均

则 (zé) means 'then' in conditions (如有问题，则应及时报告, if there is a problem, it should be reported promptly) and 'whereas, as for' in contrasts (前者重理论，后者则重实践). In a contrast it comes after the second subject, right before the verb; in a condition it opens the result clause and can come before that clause's subject (若一方违约，则另一方有权终止合同), which 就 can't.

且 (qiě) means 'and also, moreover': 既…且… (both … and), 并且, 而且. 亦 (yì) is the written 也. 皆 (jiē) and 均 (jūn) are the written 都: 人人皆知 (everyone knows), 均已完成 (all completed).

WrittenSpokenMeaning
则就 / 那么then; whereas
且而且moreover
亦也also
皆 / 均都all

  • 北方干燥，南方则比较潮湿。

    Běifāng gānzào, nánfāng zé bǐjiào cháoshī.

    The north is dry, whereas the south is rather humid.

  • 所有申请材料均须于月底前提交。

    Suǒyǒu shēnqǐng cáiliào jūn xū yú yuèdǐ qián tíjiāo.

    All application materials must be submitted by the end of the month.

所 phrases, 有所 and 无所; 无非 and 而已

有所 (yǒusuǒ) + two-syllable verb means 'to some extent': 有所提高 (has improved somewhat), 有所不同 (differs somewhat). 无所 (wúsuǒ) + verb means 'nothing to …': 无所谓 (doesn't matter), 无所不知 (knows everything).

无非 (wúfēi) and 不外乎 (búwàihū) mean 'nothing more than, simply': 他说的无非是想要钱 (all he's saying is that he wants money). 不过是…而已 (búguò shì … éryǐ) belittles: 'merely … that's all'.

  • 今年的销售情况比去年有所好转。

    Jīnnián de xiāoshòu qíngkuàng bǐ qùnián yǒusuǒ hǎozhuǎn.

    Sales this year have improved somewhat on last year.

  • 他这么做，无非是想引起大家的注意。

    Tā zhème zuò, wúfēi shì xiǎng yǐnqǐ dàjiā de zhùyì.

    He's only doing this to get people's attention.

  • 这不过是个小问题而已。

    Zhè búguò shì ge xiǎo wèntí éryǐ.

    This is just a minor problem, that's all.

Common mistakes

  • ✗则如果下雨，比赛取消。

    ✓如遇下雨，则比赛取消。

    Rú yù xià yǔ, zé bǐsài qǔxiāo.

    则 opens the result clause, after the condition. In formal writing the condition itself uses 如 or 若.

  • ✗大家皆都知道。

    ✓人人皆知。

    Rénrén jiē zhī.

    皆 and 都 mean the same; use one, and match register: written 人人皆知, or spoken 大家都知道.

  • ✗他的汉语有所提高很多。

    ✓他的汉语提高了很多。

    Tā de Hànyǔ tígāole hěn duō.

    有所 means 'somewhat', so it can't combine with 很多. Choose one degree.

Questions learners ask

Does 亦 sound pretentious?

In speech, yes, except in set phrases (亦师亦友, both teacher and friend). In formal writing it's normal.

How do I tell 而 'and' from 而 'but'?

From the meaning of the two halves: similar ideas (简单而有效) mean 'and'; opposite ideas mean 'but, whereas'.

Practice this in lessons

The Proficient Chinese lessons teach this step by step, with exercises and review built in.

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