Advanced formal conjunctions
C1 书面语连词（从而、则、总之、以便） 55 / 56
In short
These are the “essay words” for logical joins. 从而 (cóng’ér, “thus, thereby”) marks a result reached by means of the first clause; 进而 (jìn’ér, “and then, further”) marks a further step onward; 则 (zé) is a literary “then / whereas”; 总之 (zǒngzhī, “in short”) sums up; 以便 (yǐbiàn, “so as to”) opens a purpose clause after the action. All five are 书面语 (shūmiànyǔ, written register) - swap in the everyday words when you speak.
The rule
You already have the spoken connectives: 所以 (suǒyǐ, “so”), 然后 (ránhòu, “then”), 就 (jiù), 为了 (wèile, “in order to”). This lesson gives their written, elevated counterparts, which appear in reports, editorials and formal speech. Chinese does not conjugate, so the whole job of a conjunction is which clause it opens and what logical link it signals - get those two right and you are done.
Step 1 - 从而 (cóng’ér): means -> result. It opens the second clause, and it demands that the first clause be the method or cause that brings the result about. Think “thereby”.
Clause A (the means)，从而 + Result
公司降低了成本，从而提高了利润。 (Gōngsī jiàngdī le chéngběn, cóng’ér tígāo le lìrùn.) - The company lowered costs and thereby raised profits. Unlike plain 所以, 从而 stresses that the result is achieved through the first action.
Step 2 - 进而 (jìn’ér): one step, then a further step. Also opens the second clause, but it signals progression - you do A, then go further to B in the same direction. Not a result, a next move.
Clause A，进而 + a further action
我们先分析原因，进而提出对策。 (Wǒmen xiān fēnxī yuányīn, jìn’ér tíchū duìcè.) - We first analyze the causes, then go on to propose countermeasures.
Step 3 - 则 (zé): literary “then” and “whereas”. It has two lives. In a conditional, it pairs with 如果 / 若 as the formal “then”: 如果……，则……. In a contrast, it sits after the second topic (like the adverb 却) and means “whereas”: A……，B 则…….
如果情况紧急，则应立即报告。 (Rúguǒ qíngkuàng jǐnjí, zé yīng lìjí bàogào.) - If the situation is urgent, then it should be reported at once.
Step 4 - 总之 (zǒngzhī): wrap it all up. A sentence-opening summarizer - “in short, in a word, in sum”. Put it at the head, set off by a comma, after you have laid out the points it condenses.
总之，+ the summarizing statement
Step 5 - 以便 (yǐbiàn): action first, purpose after. It opens the second clause and states the purpose the first action serves - “so that / so as to”. This is the mirror image of 为了 from Purpose clauses (为了/为…而): 为了 fronts the goal, 以便 trails it.
Main action，以便 + purpose
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Forms & patterns
The five words at a glance:
| Word | Pinyin | Gloss | Where it sits | Signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 从而 | cóng’ér | thus, thereby | head of 2nd clause | result reached by means of clause A |
| 进而 | jìn’ér | and then, further | head of 2nd clause | a further step in the same direction |
| 则 | zé | then; whereas | conditional: 2nd-clause head / contrast: after 2nd topic | literary “then” or “whereas” |
| 总之 | zǒngzhī | in short, in sum | sentence opening | summarizes the preceding points |
| 以便 | yǐbiàn | so as to | head of 2nd clause | the purpose the action serves |
The templates, with a stock example each:
| Pattern | Template | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Means -> result | Clause A，从而 + result | 降低了成本，从而增加了利润 |
| Step -> further step | Clause A，进而 + next step | 先试点，进而推广 |
| Condition -> then | 如果 A，则 B | 如果无效，则另想办法 |
| Contrast (whereas) | A……，B 则…… | 我赞成，他则反对 |
| Summarize | 总之，… | 总之，值得一试 |
| Action -> purpose | Action，以便 + purpose | 早点出发，以便赶上火车 |
Examples
- 他坚持每天锻炼，从而增强了体质。 (Tā jiānchí měitiān duànliàn, cóng’ér zēngqiáng le tǐzhì.) - He kept exercising every day, thereby strengthening his physique.
- 新技术降低了成本，从而提高了效率。 (Xīn jìshù jiàngdī le chéngběn, cóng’ér tígāo le xiàolǜ.) - The new technology lowered costs and thus raised efficiency.
- 我们先分析原因，进而提出对策。 (Wǒmen xiān fēnxī yuányīn, jìn’ér tíchū duìcè.) - We first analyze the causes, then go on to propose countermeasures.
- 他从模仿开始，进而形成了自己的风格。 (Tā cóng mófǎng kāishǐ, jìn’ér xíngchéng le zìjǐ de fēnggé.) - He started from imitation and then developed his own style.
- 如果情况紧急，则应立即报告。 (Rúguǒ qíngkuàng jǐnjí, zé yīng lìjí bàogào.) - If the situation is urgent, then it should be reported at once.
- 前者便宜，后者则更耐用。 (Qiánzhě piányi, hòuzhě zé gèng nàiyòng.) - The former is cheap, whereas the latter is more durable.
- 总之，这个方案是可行的。 (Zǒngzhī, zhège fāng’àn shì kěxíng de.) - In short, this plan is feasible.
- 无论多难，总之我们不会放弃。 (Wúlùn duō nán, zǒngzhī wǒmen bú huì fàngqì.) - No matter how hard it is, in a word, we will not give up.
- 请提前登记，以便安排座位。 (Qǐng tíqián dēngjì, yǐbiàn ānpái zuòwèi.) - Please register in advance, so that seats can be arranged.
- 他把地址写清楚，以便别人联系。 (Tā bǎ dìzhǐ xiě qīngchu, yǐbiàn biérén liánxì.) - He wrote the address clearly, so that others can contact him.
Common mistakes
- 我到家则给你打电话。 -> 我到家就给你打电话。 (Wǒ dào jiā jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.) - The spoken “then / right away” is 就; 则 is literary and needs a condition frame (如果……则) or a contrast, not a plain time sequence.
- 以便安排座位，请提前登记。 -> 请提前登记，以便安排座位。 - 以便 opens the second clause; the purpose comes after the action. Only 为了 fronts the goal.
- 他努力工作，所以从而获得了成功。 -> 他努力工作，从而获得了成功。 (cóng’ér huòdé le chénggōng.) - Don’t stack 所以 with 从而; 从而 already carries the “therefore / thereby” link on its own.
- 我们先调查，从而制定计划。 -> 我们先调查，进而制定计划。 - Making a plan is the next step in the process (进而 “go on to”), not a result caused by the survey (从而). Result vs further step is the whole 从而 / 进而 split.
- 这个方案总之是可行的。 -> 总之，这个方案是可行的。 - 总之 opens its clause, set off by a comma and standing in front of the subject, not wedged after the subject before the predicate.
Tips
- Register first: all five live in writing. In speech, downshift - 从而 / 进而 -> 所以 / 然后, 则 -> 就, 总之 -> 反正 / 总的来说, 以便 -> 好 (让)…. Using them in casual chat sounds stiff and bookish.
- 从而 vs 进而 mnemonic: 从 is “from (this cause) -> thus a result”; 进 is “advance -> a further step”. If you could say “thereby” use 从而; if you could say “and then went on to” use 进而.
- 以便 vs 以免: 以便 (yǐbiàn) opens a wanted purpose (“so that X can happen”); its negative twin 以免 (yǐmiǎn, “lest, so as to avoid”) opens an unwanted outcome to head off - 多带件衣服，以免着凉 (duō dài jiàn yīfu, yǐmiǎn zháoliáng, “bring an extra layer, lest you catch cold”). Both trail after the main action.
- 则 carries no tone trap but a position one: in a condition it opens clause 2 (如果……则), but in a contrast it behaves like the adverb 却 and sits after the second topic (后者则……). Read it as “then” in the first case, “whereas” in the second.