HSK 4 Grammar Points

Comprehensive guide to HSK 4 grammar: complex comparisons, formal negation, pivotal constructions, topic-comment structures, and upper-intermediate patterns.

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HSK 4 grammar covers approximately 80 core patterns for confident upper-intermediate communication. This level focuses on complex comparisons, formal registers, advanced conditional structures, topic-comment sentences, and nuanced aspect usage.

1. Advanced Comparisons

1.1 比 with Specific Difference

Pattern Example English
A + 比 + B + Adj + 一点儿 他比我高一点儿。 He is a little taller than me.
A + 比 + B + Adj + 得多 她比他聪明得多。 She is much smarter than him.
A + 比 + B + Adj + 多了 今天比昨天热多了。 Today is much hotter than yesterday.
A + 比 + B + 多/少 + V + Number 他比我多学了两年。 He studied two more years than me.

1.2 不如 (bùrú) — Not As Good As

Pattern Example English
A + 不如 + B (+ Adj) 我不如他跑得快。 I don't run as fast as him.
A + 不如 + B 这个方案不如那个。 This plan is not as good as that one.

1.3 是…的 Structure — Emphasizing Circumstances

Used to emphasize the time, place, manner, or agent of a past action.

Pattern Example English
是 + [Emphasis] + V + 的 他是昨天来的。 He came (just) yesterday. (emphasis on time)
是 + [Emphasis] + V + 的 我是在北京学的中文。 I learned Chinese (specifically) in Beijing.
是 + [Emphasis] + V + 的 这是谁写的？ Who wrote this? (whose writing is this?)

2. Complex Conjunctions

2.1 不但…而且 — Not Only … But Also

Pattern Example English
不但 + A，而且 + B 他不但会中文，而且会日语。 He not only knows Chinese but also Japanese.
不仅…还 她不仅聪明，还很勤奋。 She is not only smart but also hardworking.

2.2 虽然…却/但是 — Although … Yet

Pattern Example English
虽然 + Concession, 却 + Contrast 虽然累，却很开心。 Although tired, (I am) still happy.
尽管…仍然 尽管下雨，仍然来了。 Even though it rained, (I) still came.

2.3 既…又 — Both … And

Pattern Example English
既 + A + 又 + B 这道菜既好吃又便宜。 This dish is both delicious and cheap.
又…又 他又高又帅。 He is both tall and handsome.

2.4 宁可/宁愿…也 — Would Rather … Than

Pattern Example English
宁可 + A + 也 + B 宁可早到，也不迟到。 Would rather arrive early than be late.
宁愿 + A + 也不 + B 宁愿一个人，也不将就。 Would rather be alone than settle.

3. Topic-Comment Sentences

The topic is placed first to establish what is being discussed, followed by a comment about it.

3.1 Basic Topic-Comment

Pattern Example English
Topic + Comment 那本书，我看完了。 That book — I've finished reading it.
Topic + Comment 中文，他学了三年了。 Chinese — he has studied it for three years.
Topic + Comment 这件事，我不太清楚。 This matter — I'm not very clear about it.

3.2 Double-Subject Sentences

Pattern Example English
S1 + S2 + VP 那栋楼，门坏了。 That building — the door is broken.
S1 + S2 + Adj 大象，鼻子很长。 An elephant — its trunk is very long.

4. The 越…越 Pattern

4.1 越来越 — More and More

Pattern Example English
越来越 + Adj 天气越来越冷。 The weather is getting colder and colder.
越来越 + V 他越来越不想上班。 He wants to go to work less and less.

4.2 越…越 — The More … The More

Pattern Example English
越 + V + 越 + Adj 越学越有意思。 The more you study, the more interesting it becomes.
越 + Adj + 越 + V 越贵越不想买。 The more expensive, the less I want to buy.

5. Formal Negation Patterns

5.1 不…也不 — Neither … Nor

Pattern Example English
不 A + 也不 B 他不吃也不喝。 He neither eats nor drinks.

5.2 非…不可 — Must; Cannot Help But

Pattern Example English
非 + V + 不可 这件事非做不可。 This matter must be done (no getting around it).
非要 + V 他非要去。 He insists on going.

5.3 无论/不管…都/也 — No Matter … Still

Pattern Example English
无论 + Condition + 都 无论多忙，都要吃饭。 No matter how busy, one must eat.
不管 + Condition + 也 不管他说什么，我也不信。 No matter what he says, I won't believe it.
无论…还是… + 都 无论刮风还是下雨，都要来。 Whether it's windy or rainy, (you) must come.

6. Expressing Regret and Wishful Thinking

6.1 要是/如果…就好了 — If Only

Pattern Example English
要是 + Condition + 就好了 要是我有钱就好了。 If only I had money.
如果…多好啊 如果你在就多好啊。 How great it would be if you were here.

6.2 早知道…就 — If I Had Known Earlier

Pattern Example English
早知道 + Condition + 就 + Result 早知道这么难，就不来了。 If I had known it was so hard, I wouldn't have come.

7. Purpose and Goal Expressions

7.1 为了 — In Order To / For the Purpose of

Pattern Example English
为了 + Goal + V 为了减肥，她每天跑步。 In order to lose weight, she runs every day.
为了 + Person/Thing 为了家人，他努力工作。 For his family, he works hard.

7.2 以便 — So As To / For the Convenience of

Pattern Example English
V + 以便 + Goal 请早点通知我，以便我安排时间。 Please notify me early so that I can arrange my schedule.

8. Concession with 倒是/是

8.1 倒是 — Admittedly / True, But…

Pattern Example English
Adj + 倒是 + Adj, 但是… 便宜倒是便宜，但质量不好。 It is cheap, but the quality is poor.
Statement + 倒是 他倒是来了，可没说话。 He did come, but didn't say anything.

9. Pivot and Causative Sentences

9.1 让/叫/使 + Person + V — Causatives

Verb Register Example English
让 neutral 老师让我重写。 The teacher made me rewrite.
叫 colloquial 妈妈叫我回家。 Mom told me to come home.
使 formal 这使我很感动。 This moved me deeply.
令 formal/written 这令人惊讶。 This is surprising.

10. 什么…都/也 — Any/Every

Pattern Example English
什么 + 都/也 + V 他什么都吃。 He eats everything.
谁 + 都/也 + V 谁都知道。 Everyone knows.
哪里 + 都/也 + V 哪里都可以。 Anywhere will do.
怎么 + 都/也 + V 怎么也找不到。 Can't find it no matter what.

11. Time Expressions and Tense

11.1 已经…了 — Already

Pattern Example English
已经 + V + 了 他已经离开了。 He has already left.
都 + 已经 + V + 了 都已经十点了。 It's already 10 o'clock.

11.2 快/快要/将要…了 — About To

Pattern Example English
快 + V + 了 快下课了。 Class is about to end.
快要 + V + 了 我快要毕业了。 I am about to graduate.
将要 + V 他将要出发。 He is about to depart. (formal)

11.3 曾经 — Once (in the past)

Pattern Example English
曾经 + V + 过 我曾经去过那里。 I once went there.

12. Emphasis Structures

12.1 连…都/也 — Even … (Still/Also)

Pattern Example English
连 + N + 都 + V 连孩子都知道。 Even children know (it).
连 + V + 都 + V-Neg 连吃饭都没时间。 No time even to eat.

12.2 就 for Emphasis / Restriction

Usage Example English
Restriction 就这一个。 Just this one.
Emphasis on condition 我就是不去。 I simply refuse to go.

13. Sentence-Final Particles

Particle Tone Function Example
了 — change of state 下雨了。It's raining now.
吧 — suggestion / assumption 走吧。Let's go. / 你是老师吧？
呢 — ongoing state / mild question 他呢？Where is he? / 还在呢。Still here.
嘛 — "obviously" / explanation 他不来嘛，你知道的。Obviously he won't come.
啊 — surprise, exclamation, softening 真漂亮啊！So beautiful!

14. Key Patterns Summary

Pattern Example English
不但…而且 不但努力，而且聪明。 Not only hardworking, but also smart.
是…的 是在哪儿学的？ Where did you learn it?
连…都 连这个也不知道。 Doesn't even know this.
无论…都 无论怎样都要坚持。 No matter what, must persist.
越来越 越来越好。 Better and better.
非…不可 非去不可。 Must go.
为了 为了成功而努力。 Work hard for success.