HSK 7
⋯⋯，何况⋯⋯
⋯ ⋯ ， hé kuàng ⋯ ⋯
何况 (hékuàng) - Let alone, not to mention
Explanation
何况 (hékuàng) is a conjunction (a word linking clauses) used in progressive compound sentences (a sentence with two clauses, where the latter pushes the idea more strongly than the former), meaning "let alone, much less, not to mention." The first clause states a situation already sufficient to draw a conclusion, and the 何况 clause adds an even stronger reason to reinforce that conclusion.
(clause 1, an already-clear reason/situation), 何况 (hékuàng) + (clause 2, an even stronger reason) (e.g. 我不道歉，何况根本不是我的错 = I won't apologize, let alone it wasn't my fault at all).
Use when you want to strengthen persuasiveness, rebut, or affirm that what was said is obvious; used in both spoken and written language.
何况 leans colloquial, emphasizing "already X, and Y on top of that, so all the more..."; whereas 况且 (kuàngqiě) is more formal, merely adding a further reason without implying a comparison of degree of strength. 更何况 (gèng hékuàng) is a more emphatic form of 何况.
Using 何况 when the first clause fails to establish a premise for "let alone" (making the progressive relationship lopsided); confusing 何况 with 何必 (hébì = why bother, what need) — the two words are quite different in meaning.
Examples
I won't apologize, let alone it wasn't my fault in the first place!
This dish takes a lot of time to make, not to mention there are so many customers today.
Practice
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Learn “⋯⋯，何况⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “⋯⋯，何况⋯⋯” (何况 (hékuàng) - Let alone, not to mention) 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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