HSK 6
以免
yǐmiǎn
so as to avoid
Structure
Action/Method + 以免 + Undesirable Consequence
How it works
The conjunction '以免' is used to connect two clauses where the second clause expresses a negative result or an undesirable situation that is being prevented. It introduces the purpose of the action mentioned in the first clause, functioning similarly to 'so as to avoid' or 'lest'.
Examples
请仔细检查合同，以免出现差错。
Qǐng zǐxì jiǎnchá hétóng, yǐmiǎn chūxiàn chācuò.
Please check the contract carefully to avoid any errors.
出门前请锁好窗户，以免小偷进入。
Chūmén qián qǐng suǒ hǎo chuānghu, yǐmiǎn xiǎotōu jìnrù.
Please lock the windows before leaving so that thieves don't enter.
你应该尽早完成报告，以免耽误进度。
Nǐ yīnggāi jǐnzǎo wánchéng bàogào, yǐmiǎn dānwù jìndù.
You should finish the report as early as possible so as not to delay the progress.
Common mistakes
Users often redundantly add a negative word like '不' or '没有' after '以免', but '以免' already contains a preventative negative meaning.
Tip
Think of '以免' as a more formal version of '免得' (miǎnde), which is more common in spoken Chinese.
More HSK 6 grammar
See 以免 in real Chinese
Import an article and tap any sentence using it. The explanation comes back about the sentence in front of you, not a textbook example.
Try InputDojo free