HSK 7
⋯⋯，而 ⋯⋯（则）⋯⋯
⋯ ⋯ ， ér ⋯ ⋯ （ zé ） ⋯ ⋯
Contrasting clauses with '而' and '则'
Explanation
This is an adversative/contrastive compound sentence (a sentence with two clauses of contrasting content). 而 (ér) is a conjunction (a word linking clauses) joining two contrasting clauses, equivalent to "whereas, while" in English; 则 (zé) is an adverb (a modifying word) placed in the latter clause, heightening the nuance of "then in turn, whereas."
(clause 1), 而 (ér) + (clause 2, subject) + 则 (zé) + predicate (the part stating the action/quality). 则 may or may not appear (e.g. 而我却... = whereas I, on the contrary...; 而南方人的习俗则是... = whereas the custom of southerners is in turn...).
Use to place two entities/situations side by side to highlight their difference; it carries a formal tone and is often found in formal/written usage. Often paired with 却 (què = yet, however) for added emphasis.
而 joins two contrasted clauses gently and objectively; whereas 但是 (dànshì = but) emphasizes the reversal, negating the expectation set up by the first clause more strongly. 则 is used only in the latter clause and cannot stand at the head of the sentence.
Placing 则 (zé) at the head of the clause or before the subject (wrong: 则南方人... → correct: 南方人...则...); using 而 to join two clauses that are not truly contrasting; forgetting that 而 here means "whereas/while" and not "and" (the "and" sense is for additive linking).
Examples
The vast majority of people use feeling to think, whereas I, on the contrary, use thinking to feel.
Northerners often eat dumplings for Spring Festival, whereas the custom of southerners is instead to eat sweet rice balls.
Practice
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Learn “⋯⋯，而 ⋯⋯（则）⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “⋯⋯，而 ⋯⋯（则）⋯⋯” (Contrasting clauses with '而' and '则') 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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