HSK 6Lesson 8 of 9 · 4 grammar points
Alternation, choice and universal claims
一时 alternates states, 要么 selects alternatives, 虽 concedes a point, and 凡是 universally quantifies those meeting a condition. Each construction establishes a different relationship; do not treat them as decorative connecting words.
Learning goals (4)
- Alternation with 一时.
- Either option with 要么.
- Compact written concession.
- Universal condition with 凡是.
一时…一时…
Alternation with 一时
一时…一时… presents changing states or activities over intervals, often in narrative.
他一时高兴，一时又担心。
At one moment he is happy; at another he is worried.
More
Pitfall: It describes alternation rather than the clock time one o'clock.
要么…，要么…
Either option with 要么
要么…要么… explicitly offers or restricts choices to alternatives.
要么现在出发，要么明天再走。
Either leave now or wait until tomorrow.
More
Pitfall: Do not confuse alternative-choice 要么 with the rhetorical 怎么.
虽…，但/可/却/也…
Compact written concession
虽…但/可/却/也… compresses a concession into a relatively written form.
路虽远，但很安全。
Although the road is long, it is safe.
More
Pitfall: The marker can occur after the first subject; keep the second clause natural.
凡是…，都…
Universal condition with 凡是
凡是…都… applies a statement to every member satisfying a condition.
凡是报名的人，都可以参加。
Anyone who registers may participate.
More
Pitfall: This is a universal claim; do not use it for a merely common tendency.
Source details (official syllabus)
Alternation with 一时
- Syllabus item
- 一时……一时……
- Category
- 并列复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L6-043
- PDF page
- 402 (printed 399)
Either option with 要么
- Syllabus item
- 要么……，要么……
- Category
- 选择复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L6-044
- PDF page
- 402 (printed 399)
Compact written concession
- Syllabus item
- 虽……，但/可/却/也……
- Category
- 转折复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L6-045
- PDF page
- 402 (printed 399)
Universal condition with 凡是
- Syllabus item
- 凡是……，都……
- Category
- 条件复句
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L6-046
- PDF page
- 402 (printed 399)
- 1FILL BLANK
他高兴，一时又担心。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“At one moment he is happy; at another he is worried.”
- 2FILL BLANK
报名的人，都可以参加。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“Anyone who registers may participate.”
- 3MATCH
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
- 4CHOOSE
Which asserts a rule for every qualifying member?
- 5CHOOSE
凡是符合条件的申请者都可以参加。
What does the rule include?
- 6ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“At one moment he is happy; at another he is worried.”
Tap the chunks in order. - 7ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“Either leave now or wait until tomorrow.”
Tap the chunks in order.
0 of 7 tasks answered.
Next lesson: Exceptions, concessions and purpose →虽…，但/可/却/也…Compact written concession
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