Skip to content
HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

……，以…… for “In Order To …” in Formal Writing

State an action first and its purpose second with 以: 学校延长了图书馆的开放时间，以满足同学们的学习需要.

Pattern

action / measure，以 + verb phrase (purpose)

In formal Chinese, 以 can start the second clause and mean “in order to, so as to”: first say what is done, then 以 + the aim. It is the written counterpart of 为了 placed after the action.

学校延长了图书馆的开放时间，以满足同学们的学习需要。

When to use ……，以…… for “In Order To …” in Formal Writing

In this pattern the first clause says what is done and the second clause, starting with 以, says what it is for: 学校延长了图书馆的开放时间，以满足同学们的学习需要 “The school has extended the library’s opening hours to meet students’ study needs.” 以 is followed directly by a verb phrase, usually with no new subject. Common verbs after it are 提高 “raise”, 保证 “ensure”, 满足 “meet”, 了解 “find out”, 帮助 “help” and 方便 “make easy”. The pattern is formal and belongs to notices, reports, news and essays.

大家应该多读多写，以提高自己的写作水平。

Everyone should read and write more in order to improve their writing.

请同学们提前十分钟进入考场，以保证考试按时开始。

Students are asked to enter the exam room ten minutes early so that the exam can start on time.

我们每天记录天气变化，以了解本地气候的特点。

We record the weather every day in order to learn about the local climate.

全场观众起立鼓掌，以示感谢。

The whole audience stood and applauded to show their thanks.

Common traps

  • Follow 以 directly with a verb: 以提高水平, 以保证安全.
  • 以 sounds formal; in conversation put 为了 at the start of the sentence instead.
  • 以 introduces what you want; 以免 introduces what you want to avoid. Don’t mix them up.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

大家应该多读多写， 提高自己的写作水平

Everyone should read and write more in order to improve their writing
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

How we make our content