B1 conjunction Formal #4,000 most common 1 min read

以免

yimian /ǐ miǎn/
Practice it

Take action now to prevent a negative result later.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to express prevention of a negative outcome.
  • Functions as a conjunction connecting action and precaution.
  • More formal than the colloquial term '省得'.

1) 概述：在中文表达中，“以免”是一个非常实用的连词，意为“so as to avoid”或“lest”。它主要用于强调动作的预防性，即“做某事是为了不让另一件不好的事发生”。

2) 用法模式：结构通常为“前句（采取的行动）+ 以免 + 后句（要避免的不良后果）”。例如：“请带上雨伞，以免淋雨。”这里“带雨伞”是预防措施，“淋雨”是想要避免的结果。

3) 常见场景：它广泛应用于日常生活、职场沟通及书面写作中。在职场中，常用于提醒同事注意细节，如“请检查文件，以免出错”；在日常生活中，常用于建议，如“早点出发，以免迟到”。

4) 近义词比较：与“省得”相比，“以免”更正式，适用于书面语和正式口语；“省得”则非常口语化，通常用于非正式场合。与“为了不”相比，“以免”更简洁，直接将预防动作与结果连接起来。

Examples

1

请关好窗户，以免雨水打进来。

everyday

Please close the windows so as to avoid the rain coming in.

2

我们需要提前沟通，以免产生误会。

formal

We need to communicate in advance to avoid misunderstandings.

3

快点走，以免赶不上火车。

informal

Hurry up so we don't miss the train.

4

实验必须在低温下进行，以免样本变质。

academic

The experiment must be conducted at low temperatures to avoid sample degradation.

Common Collocations

以免出错 so as to avoid mistakes
以免迟到 so as to avoid being late
以免发生意外 so as to avoid accidents

Common Phrases

提前准备，以免措手不及

Prepare in advance to avoid being caught off guard.

反复检查，以免遗漏

Check repeatedly to avoid omissions.

Often Confused With

以免 vs 省得

This is the colloquial equivalent of '以免'. Use '省得' with friends and '以免' in professional settings.

Grammar Patterns

采取行动 + 以免 + 负面结果 提前做好准备 + 以免 + 出现问题

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word '以免' is used to connect a preventative action to a potential negative consequence. It is considered formal and is appropriate for business, academic, and professional writing. Avoid using it in extremely casual conversation where '省得' might feel more natural.

Common Mistakes

Learners often put the result before the action, or use '以免' with positive outcomes. Remember that '以免' must always be followed by the negative outcome you are trying to prevent. It should not be used at the very beginning of a sentence.

Tips

💡

Think of it as 'in order not to'

Whenever you want to prevent a negative outcome, use this word. It acts as a bridge between your action and the potential problem.

⚠️

Avoid positive outcomes

Never use '以免' followed by something good. It is strictly for negative or unwanted scenarios.

🌍

Formal vs Informal tone

In professional emails or reports, always choose '以免' over '省得' to sound more educated and polite.

Word Origin

The word is a combination of '以' (in order to) and '免' (to avoid). It has evolved from classical Chinese structures used to express purpose.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, being proactive and avoiding trouble is a valued trait. Using '以免' reflects a thoughtful and responsible attitude towards tasks and relationships.

Memory Tip

Think of '以免' as 'in-case-not'. If you don't do the first part, the second part (the bad thing) might happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“以免”比较正式，适用于各种场合；“省得”非常口语化，只能在朋友或家人之间使用。在书面语中，务必使用“以免”。

不可以。因为“以免”的本意就是“为了避免”，所以后面必须接负面的、不希望发生的事情。

通常不放在句首。它必须连接前后的逻辑关系，放在预防动作之后。

不一定。可以直接接名词或动词短语，如“以免迟到”或“以免发生意外”。

Test Yourself

fill blank

请把地址写下来，___忘记。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 以免

这里是为了防止忘记，所以使用“以免”。

multiple choice

下列哪句使用正确？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 请检查一遍，以免出错。

选项C表达了预防错误的意图，符合语法。

sentence building

闹钟 / 定好 / 以免 / 迟到

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 定好闹钟，以免迟到。

正确的语序是动作在前，以免在中间，结果在后。

Score: /3

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