B2 conjunction Formal 1 min read

但凡

danfan /tân fǎn/
Practice it

It functions as a conditional marker meaning 'whenever' or 'if only it is'.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to mean whenever or in all cases.
  • Emphasizes that something is true for all instances.
  • Often used in conditional sentences to express logical outcomes.

Overview

  1. 1概述：但凡是一个表示全面肯定或条件的词汇，具有强调语气。它常用于书面语或较为正式的口语中，用来概括某一类事物或情况的普遍性。2) 使用模式：但凡通常放在主语之后，谓语动词之前，后接肯定形式的动词结构。常见结构为“但凡+主语+都/总会+谓语”。3) 常见语境：常用于表达某种规律、经验总结或带有感叹意味的推论。例如，在评论人的行为或事物的必然性时使用频率较高。4) 近义词辨析：与“凡是”相比，“但凡”更侧重于强调条件的唯一性或必然性，往往带有一种“只要发生A，就必然会导致B”的逻辑意味。与“只要”相比，“但凡”的覆盖面更广，语气更重，带有某种程度的概括性。

Examples

1

但凡有时间，我就喜欢看书。

everyday

Whenever I have time, I like to read books.

2

但凡参与此项目的人，都签署了保密协议。

formal

All those who participated in this project signed a non-disclosure agreement.

3

但凡你说一声，我就不会这么难过了。

informal

If only you had said something, I wouldn't be this sad.

4

但凡真理，皆需经受时间的考验。

academic

All truths must stand the test of time.

Common Collocations

但凡有 whenever there is
但凡提及 whenever mentioned
但凡可能 whenever possible

Common Phrases

但凡如此

if it is always like this

但凡有点

if there is any bit of

但凡见过

if anyone has ever seen

Often Confused With

但凡 vs 凡是

凡是 is more formal and objective, often used in definitions or regulations. 但凡 is more subjective and often carries a tone of emotion or personal experience.

Grammar Patterns

但凡 + 条件 + 都 + 结论 但凡 + 主语 + 谓语 但凡 + 涉及 + 名词

How to Use It

Usage Notes

但凡 is a versatile conjunction that leans towards a slightly formal register. It is best used when you want to make a sweeping generalization based on a condition. Avoid using it in extremely casual slang as it may sound overly poetic or stiff.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is placing a negative verb immediately after '但凡'. Another error is using it without a corresponding '都' or '总会' in the second clause, which makes the sentence feel incomplete. Ensure the logic flows from the condition to the result.

Tips

💡

Use with '都' for emphasis

Pairing '但凡' with '都' reinforces the universality of the statement. It makes the logical conclusion feel stronger and more definitive.

⚠️

Avoid negative verbs directly

Avoid placing negative verbs immediately after '但凡'. It sounds unnatural to native speakers compared to using positive verbs to describe the condition.

🌍

Reflects Chinese logical thinking

The use of '但凡' reflects a traditional Chinese rhetorical style that emphasizes rules and recurring patterns in human behavior.

Word Origin

The word originates from classical Chinese, where '但' means 'only' and '凡' means 'all'. Combined, they denote 'only in all cases', indicating a universal condition.

Cultural Context

The term reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on 'universal rules' (规律). It is often used in proverbs or life lessons to teach that certain causes inevitably lead to certain effects.

Memory Tip

Think of '但凡' as 'Only if it is'. If you want to remember it, imagine a rule: 'Whenever (但凡) you study, you succeed (都成功).'

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

通常情况下，“但凡”后面接肯定形式的谓语。如果需要表达否定意义，通常使用“但凡……不……”的结构，但这在现代汉语中较为少见，建议优先使用肯定形式。

“凡是”更正式，常用于公文或严谨的陈述；“但凡”则带有一定的感叹语气，常用于口语或文学描写中，强调某种必然的规律。

可以。“但凡”可以放在句首引导条件状语，例如“但凡有时间，我就去图书馆”，这在表达习惯或原则时非常自然。

它属于中等正式程度的词汇。在日常交谈中显得比较有修养，在书面语中则显得逻辑严密。

Test Yourself

fill blank

___有困难，他总是第一个站出来帮忙。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 但凡

此处表示只要有困难的情况，他都会帮忙，符合但凡的用法。

multiple choice

哪句话语法正确？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 但凡他有空，都会去锻炼。

该句结构完整，且逻辑符合但凡的用法。

sentence building

但凡 / 会 / 只要 / 成功 / 努力

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 但凡努力，都会成功。

这是标准的但凡句式结构。

Score: /3

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