以致
HSK 6- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The conjunction 以致 is used to indicate an undesirable result caused by the reason stated in the preceding clause.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Use 以致 to connect a cause and its result, where the result is typically something negative or undesirable. It is equivalent to "leading to," "causing," or "to such an extent that" in English. The preceding clause states the reason or action, while the clause after 以致 expresses the adverse consequence brought about by that action. Note that 以致 carries a slightly more formal tone compared to ordinary result-indicating words.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他开车太不小心，以致发生了事故。繁: 他開車太不小心，以致發生了事故。Tā kāichē tài bù xiǎoxīn, yǐzhì fāshēng le shìgù.
He drove so carelessly that he had an accident.
- 我忘了设闹钟，以致错过了火车。繁: 我忘了設鬧鐘，以致錯過了火車。Wǒ wàng le shè nàozhōng, yǐzhì cuòguò le huǒchē.
I forgot to set my alarm, which caused me to miss the train.
- 他昨晚复习得太晚，以致今天考试迟到。繁: 他昨晚複習得太晚，以致今天考試遲到。Tā zuówǎn fùxí de tài wǎn, yǐzhì jīntiān kǎoshì chídào.
He studied so late last night that he was late for the exam today.
- 我们沟通不畅，以致产生了很多误会。繁: 我們溝通不暢，以致產生了很多誤會。Wǒmen gōutōng bù chàng, yǐzhì chǎnshēng le hěn duō wùhuì.
Our poor communication resulted in many misunderstandings.
- 这个项目计划不周，以致最后失败了。繁: 這個項目計劃不周，以致最後失敗了。Zhège xiàngmù jìhuà bù zhōu, yǐzhì zuìhòu shībài le.
The project's planning was inadequate, causing it to ultimately fail.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他努力学习，以致考上了好大学。Correct:他努力学习，所以考上了好大学。
以致 usually indicates a negative result. For positive results, use 所以 (therefore) or other words instead.
- Wrong:以致他迟到了。Correct:因为堵车，以致他迟到了。
以致 is a conjunction that must follow the cause clause and cannot stand alone at the beginning of a sentence.