HSK 7-9
……，以至（于）……
..., yǐzhì(yú)...
...to the point that...; so much so that...
Structure
Cause/Action + ， + 以至(于) + Result/Exaggerated State
How it works
This conjunction indicates that a previous action or situation has reached such an extent that it results in a specific consequence, often an undesirable one. It connects a cause to an effect, emphasizing the degree or the extreme nature of the result.
Examples
他工作太忙了，以至于连饭都顾不上吃。
Tā gōngzuò tài máng le, yǐzhìyú lián fàn dōu gù bù shàng chī.
He was so busy with work that he couldn't even manage to eat.
这种药的副作用很大，以至可能会引起严重的过敏反应。
Zhè zhǒng yào de fùzuòyòng hěn dà, yǐzhì kěnéng huì yǐnqǐ yánzhòng de guòmǐn fǎnyìng.
The side effects of this medicine are so great that they might cause severe allergic reactions.
这幅画的线条柔和，以至到了真假难辨的地步。
Zhè fú huà de xiàntiáo róuhé, yǐzhì dàole zhēnjiǎ nánbiàn de dìbù.
The lines of this painting are so soft that they have reached a point where it is hard to distinguish real from fake.
Common mistakes
Confusing 以至 (yǐzhì) with 以致 (yǐzhì). While both can indicate a result, 以至 focuses on the extension of degree or scope, whereas 以致 is almost exclusively used for negative, unexpected results.
Tip
Think of 以至 as 'to the point that'. If you can replace it with 'even to the extent of' in English, then 以至 is likely the correct choice.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See ……，以至（于）…… in real Chinese
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