以免

HSK 5

Conjunctions

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Clause 1 (action)以免Clause 2 (bad result to avoid)

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

Conjunction 以免 is used to indicate the purpose of preventing a bad or undesirable outcome.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

Use the conjunction 以免 (yǐmiǎn) to connect two clauses, with the meaning "in order to avoid" or "lest." The clause before 以免 is the action you take, while the clause after it is the negative outcome you wish to prevent. 以免 is generally slightly more formal than 免得 or 省得.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

快复习吧，以免考试不及格。
繁: 快複習吧，以免考試不及格。Kuài fùxí ba, yǐmiǎn kǎoshì bù jígé.
Review quickly, or you might fail the exam.
多穿点衣服，以免感冒。
繁: 多穿點衣服，以免感冒。Duō chuān diǎn yīfu, yǐmiǎn gǎnmào.
Wear more clothes to avoid catching a cold.
请记下我的电话，以免忘了。
繁: 請記下我的電話，以免忘了。Qǐng jì xià wǒ de diànhuà, yǐmiǎn wàng le.
Please write down my phone number so you won't forget it.
出门前检查门窗，以免被盗。
繁: 出門前檢查門窗，以免被盜。Chūmén qián jiǎnchá ménchuāng, yǐmiǎn bèi dào.
Before going out, check the doors and windows to avoid being robbed.
有话要早点说，以免产生误会。
繁: 有話要早點說，以免產生誤會。Yǒu huà yào zǎodiǎn shuō, yǐmiǎn chǎnshēng wùhuì.
You should speak up early if you have something to say, so as to avoid misunderstandings.

Common mistakes

Wrong:快走吧，以免不迟到。
Correct:快走吧，以免迟到。
以免 already means "to avoid," so there is no need to add a negative adverb like 不 or 别.
Wrong:我努力学习，以免考上大学。
Correct:我努力学习，以便考上大学。
以免 is used to avoid a bad result. To achieve a good purpose, use 以便 (in order to).