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HSK 7

连接分句或句子：继而、要不是

lián jiē fēn jù huò jù zi ： jì ér 、 yào bú shì

Connectives linking clauses or sentences: 继而 (jì'ér), 要不是 (yàobushì)

Explanation

This lesson covers two conjunctions (words that link clauses) used to connect clauses/sentences: 继而 (jì'ér) and 要不是 (yàobushì).

Structure

(1) …，继而 (jì'ér) + the following event = 'then, subsequently, and consequently', linking two events that follow one another in time or in a causal chain. (2) 要不是 (yàobushì) + a real condition, + (often with 也/就 yě/jiù) a hypothetical result contrary to fact = 'if it were not for/if not because…'.

When to use

继而 carries a written tone, used when the later event immediately follows the earlier one. 要不是 states an actual cause/condition that saved the situation, then hypothesizes the opposite; it is widely used even in speech.

Distinguish

继而 (jì'ér) stresses 'immediately after', while 进而 (jìn'ér) stresses 'going a step further'; do not confuse the two. 要不是 (yàobushì) differs from 要不 (yàobù, 'otherwise'): 要不是 states something that actually happened and then hypothesizes its negation.

Common mistakes

With 要不是, do not forget that the first clause is a fact while the result is a hypothetical contrary to reality (so the second clause often has 就/也 and carries the sense 'would not have been able to…'); with 继而, avoid using it for two disjointed, unconnected events.

Examples

他本来不同意的，可继而一想，又觉得是一个好机会。
tāběnláibùtóngyìde，kějìéryìxiǎng，yòujuédeshìyígèhǎojīhuì。

He originally disagreed, but then on second thought he felt it was a good opportunity after all.

人民币升值将会影响到中国的出口，继而影响中国的经济增长。
rénmínbìshēngzhíjiānghuìyǐngxiǎngdàozhōngguódechūkǒu，jìéryǐngxiǎngzhōngguódejīngjìzēngzhǎng。

The appreciation of the RMB will affect China's exports, and consequently affect China's economic growth.

要不是老师帮我，我也不能写好这篇文章。
yàobúshìlǎoshībāngwǒ，wǒyěbùnéngxiěhǎozhèpiānwénzhāng。

If it had not been for the teacher's help, I could not have written this essay well.

Practice

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Learn “连接分句或句子：继而、要不是” effectively

The grammar point “连接分句或句子：继而、要不是” (Connectives linking clauses or sentences: 继而 (jì'ér), 要不是 (yàobushì)) 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.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.

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