HSK 7
⋯⋯， 以⋯⋯
⋯ ⋯ ， yǐ ⋯ ⋯
The structure '以' indicating purpose (in order to, so as to)
Explanation
⋯⋯，以⋯⋯ is a compound sentence indicating purpose, using 以 (yǐ) at the head of the latter clause to state the purpose of the action in the first clause, meaning 'in order to, so as to'.
(Clause 1 states an action), 以 (yǐ) + the purpose to be achieved. For example, 以纪念…… = in order to commemorate…, 以调动…… = so as to arouse….
In formal/written usage (news, announcements, argumentative writing); 以 (yǐ) is a condensed, formal way of saying 以便 (yǐbiàn) or 用来 (yònglái).
以 (yǐ) indicating purpose here differs from 以 as a preposition 'with, by' (以…为… yǐ…wéi…); tell them apart by its position at the head of the latter clause and the 'in order to' sense. Compared with 为了 (wèile), 为了 usually stands at the head of the sentence stating the purpose first, whereas 以 stands in the latter clause.
以 (indicating purpose) is placed at the head of the latter clause, not at the head of the whole sentence; and after 以 there must be a verb phrase stating the purpose, not a mere noun.
Examples
The government named this street after them, in order to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the war.
The teacher adopted a new teaching method in class, so as to arouse the students' enthusiasm.
Practice
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Learn “⋯⋯， 以⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “⋯⋯， 以⋯⋯” (The structure '以' indicating purpose (in order to, so as to)) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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