HSK 4Lesson 10 of 14 · 6 grammar points
Structuring an explanation
Correct an account with 不是…而是, combine properties with 既…又, separate aspects with 一方面, and order points or steps with 首先. 于是 then advances a narrative through a resulting event.
Learning goals (6)
- Correction with 不是…而是.
- Two compatible points.
- Two aspects.
- Ordering arguments.
- Ordering procedures.
- A resulting next step.
不是…，而是…
Correction with 不是…而是
Reject one account and replace it with another.
我不是不想去，而是没有时间。
It's not that I don't want to go; I don't have time.
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Pitfall: The second clause supplies the correction rather than an unrelated contrast.
既…，又/也…
Two compatible points
既…又/也… links parallel qualities or facts, often more formally than 又…又.
这个办法既简单又有效。
This method is both simple and effective.
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Pitfall: Keep the two linked elements grammatically parallel where possible.
一方面…，另一方面…
Two aspects
一方面…另一方面… organizes distinct aspects of an issue, which may support or oppose one another.
一方面我想去，另一方面我又担心时间不够。
On one hand I want to go; on the other, I worry about time.
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Pitfall: Two aspects need not form a strict contradiction.
首先…，其次…
Ordering arguments
首先…其次… orders points in an explanation; the order need not describe time.
首先要保证质量，其次才考虑价格。
First ensure quality; then consider price.
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Pitfall: 其次 can mark priority in argument rather than a later physical event.
首先…，然后…
Ordering procedures
首先…然后… presents a procedural or temporal sequence.
首先洗手，然后开始做饭。
First wash your hands, then start cooking.
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Pitfall: Use an order that matches the intended procedure.
…，于是…
A resulting next step
于是 introduces what happened next as a response or consequence of the preceding situation.
下雨了，于是我们回家了。
It started raining, so we went home.
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Pitfall: Unlike abstract 所以, 于是 commonly advances a narrative.
Source details (official syllabus)
Correction with 不是…而是
- Syllabus item
- 不是……，而是……
- Category
- 并列复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L4-066
- PDF page
- 397 (printed 394)
Two compatible points
- Syllabus item
- 既……，又/也……
- Category
- 并列复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L4-067
- PDF page
- 397 (printed 394)
Two aspects
- Syllabus item
- 一方面……，另一方面……
- Category
- 并列复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L4-068
- PDF page
- 397 (printed 394)
Ordering arguments
- Syllabus item
- 首先……，其次……
- Category
- 承接复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L4-069
- PDF page
- 397 (printed 394)
Ordering procedures
- Syllabus item
- 首先……，然后……
- Category
- 承接复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L4-070
- PDF page
- 397 (printed 394)
A resulting next step
- Syllabus item
- ……，于是……
- Category
- 承接复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L4-071
- PDF page
- 397 (printed 394)
- 1FILL BLANK
我不是不想去，没有时间。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“It's not that I don't want to go; I don't have time.”
- 2FILL BLANK
下雨了，我们回家了。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“It started raining, so we went home.”
- 3MATCH
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
- 4CHOOSE
Which corrects the first explanation rather than offers two alternatives?
- 5CHOOSE
他不是不愿意帮忙，而是今天没时间。
Which distinction is made?
- 6ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“It's not that I don't want to go; I don't have time.”
Tap the chunks in order. - 7ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“This method is both simple and effective.”
Tap the chunks in order.
0 of 7 tasks answered.
Next lesson: Progression and qualification →不是…，而是…Correction with 不是…而是
- 我愣住了，原来她对我冷淡不是因为讨厌我，而是因为亲人的病让她没有空闲，也没有心情聊天。 I Misunderstood My Friend · HSK 5
既…，又/也…Two compatible points
- 昨天我收到一家公司的面试通知，心里既紧张又高兴，好像多年的梦想终于有机会实现了。 My Job Interview · HSK 4
- 上个学期，最好的朋友突然对我变得很冷淡，这让我既紧张又难过，连生活都变得不幸福了。 I Misunderstood My Friend · HSK 5
- 离开住了三十年的老地方，心里既有期待，也有一种说不出的不安。 Moving to a New City · HSK 5
…，于是…A resulting next step
- 好在我想起了附近有一条高速公路可以绕过去，于是及时改变了路线，最后准时到达了那家公司。 My Job Interview · HSK 4