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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 5 min read

...，以至于... for “So Much That …”

Use ……，以至（于）…… to show that something reached such a degree that it led to a striking result.

Pattern

situation to a high degree，以至（于）+ result

以至（于） starts the second clause and shows how far things went: the first situation was so strong that it caused this result.

他看书看得太专心了，以至于忘了吃饭。

When to use ...，以至于... for “So Much That …”

The first clause describes a situation that is very strong or has gone very far, often with 太, 非常, 那么, 越来越 or a 得 complement. The second clause starts with 以至于 (or the shorter 以至) and gives the result that this degree led to.

这几年城市变化非常大，以至于很多老地方我都认不出来了。

The city has changed so much in recent years that I can’t recognise many old places.

雨下得越来越大，以至马路上的车都开得很慢。

The rain got heavier and heavier, so much so that all the cars on the road were driving slowly.

他太喜欢这本书了，看了一遍又一遍，以至于能背出里面的很多句子。

He loved this book so much and read it so many times that he could recite many of its lines.

大家讨论得非常热烈，以至于下课铃响了都没听见。

Everyone was discussing so eagerly that nobody heard the bell for the end of class.

Common traps

  • 以至于 introduces a result, not a purpose: use 以免 or 以便 for what you hope to avoid or achieve.
  • Make the first clause show a high degree (太, 非常, 越来越……); a plain fact sounds odd before 以至于.
  • 以致 usually brings an unwanted result; for a positive result, choose 以至于.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

雪下得非常大， 学校只好停课一天

It snowed so heavily that the school had to close for a day
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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