Linking ideas and giving opinions
Joining ideas with 和, 又 ... 又, 因为 ... 所以, 虽然 ... 但是, 如果 ... 就, 先 ... 然后, 一边 ... 一边 and 的时候, and saying what you think with 我觉得. At Higher, 不但 ... 而且, 一 ... 就, 越 ... 越, 除了 ... 以外 and 为了.
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Linking ideas and giving opinions, explained point by point
Everything the GCSE specification expects you to be able to do, and how to actually do it - the same lesson a signed-in student studies from.
Join nouns with 和, and people with 跟
和 means and between nouns: 我喜欢猫和狗。 和 or 跟 before a person means with: 我跟朋友一起去。 都 after two or more people means both or all: 我和我妹妹都喜欢游泳。 和 never joins two verbs or two sentences.
Give reasons and conditions with 因为…所以 and 如果…就
因为 (because) and 所以 (so) can be used together, which English doesn't do: 因为下雨，所以我在家看电视。 如果 or 要是 (if) pairs with 就 (then), which goes before the verb: 如果明天天气好，我们就去海边。
Contrast ideas with 但是, 可是 and 虽然…但是
但是 and 可是 both mean but: 汉语很难，但是很有意思。 虽然 (although) pairs with 但是 or 可是, so Chinese uses both halves: 虽然我很累，但是我很高兴。 却, a more written but, goes before the verb in the second half: 哥哥很忙，却每天去运动。
Describe with 又…又, and list with 也…也
又…又 gives two qualities at once: 学校的午饭又便宜又好吃。 也…也 puts two actions side by side: 我也喜欢唱歌，也喜欢跳舞。
Put events in order with 先…然后, and say when with 的时候
先 (first) and 然后 or 再 (then) set out a sequence: 我先做作业，然后看电视。 …的时候 means when, and it ends the time phrase rather than starting it: 我小的时候，住在伦敦。 (When I was little, I lived in London.) 一边…一边 does two things at once: 我一边吃晚饭，一边听音乐。
Give your opinion with 我觉得, and back it up
我觉得 (I think, I feel) starts an opinion: 我觉得历史很有意思。 Then give a reason with 因为: 我最喜欢数学，因为数学老师很好。 An opinion with a reason says much more in speaking and writing than an opinion alone.
Add more with 不但…而且 and 除了…以外Higher only
不但…而且 means not only … but also: 她不但会唱歌，而且会跳舞。 除了…以外 means apart from. With 都 it leaves something out: 除了数学以外，我都喜欢。 (I like everything except maths.) With 还 or 也 it adds: 除了汉语以外，我还学法文。
Link with 一…就, 越…越 and 为了Higher only
一…就 means as soon as: 我一到家就吃晚饭。 越…越 means the more … the more: 汉语越学越有意思。 为了 (in order to) gives a purpose, at the start: 为了学好汉语，我每天都听中文歌。
Use 而且, 不过, 因此, 那么 and 或者Higher only
而且 means and what's more, and 不过 means however: 这个饭馆很好，不过有点儿贵。 因此 (so, therefore) suits a formal piece. 那么 means in that case: 那么，我们明天去吧。 或者 is or in a statement: 周末我看书或者上网。
Linking ideas and giving opinions key terms
The words the specification and the mark schemes use, each defined the way an examiner wants it.
- 和
- And, between nouns only: 猫和狗. Before a person, it can also mean with.
- 跟
- With, before the person you do something with: 跟朋友一起.
- 因为…所以
- Because … so. Chinese is happy to use both halves together.
- 虽然…但是
- Although … but. Both halves are used together.
- 如果…就
- If … then: 就 goes before the verb in the second half.
- 又…又
- Both … and, for two qualities: 又便宜又好吃.
- 一边…一边
- Doing two things at the same time: 一边吃晚饭一边看电视.
- 的时候
- When, at the end of the time phrase: 我小的时候 (when I was little).
- 我觉得
- I think or I feel: the everyday way to give an opinion.
- 不但…而且Higher only
- Not only … but also: 不但便宜，而且好吃.
- 除了…以外Higher only
- Apart from. With 都 it means except; with 还 or 也, as well as.
- 或者Higher only
- Or, in a statement: 看书或者上网. In a question, use 还是.
Common mistakes in Linking ideas and giving opinions
The slips that cost marks year after year, and what to do instead.
Using 和 to join two actions, as in 我去公园和打篮球.
和 joins nouns. Put two actions one after the other, 我去公园打篮球, or link them with 也 or 还.
Using 和 between two adjectives, as in 他很高和很瘦.
Use 又…又, 他又高又瘦, or two short sentences: 他很高，也很瘦.
Starting with 的时候, the way English starts with when, as in 的时候我小.
的时候 ends the time phrase, after what it describes: 我小的时候, when I was little.
Saying 我想 for I think, as in 我想历史很有意思.
我想 usually means I want to or I'd like to. For an opinion, use 我觉得: 我觉得历史很有意思.
Using 还是 for or in a statement, as in 周末我看书还是上网.Higher only
In a statement, or is 或者: 周末我看书或者上网. Keep 还是 for questions.
Practice
Try a Linking ideas and giving opinions question
A GCSE-style original question from this topic. Have a go before you open the working - deciding on an answer first is what makes the working stick.
What does 虽然天气很冷，但是我们还是去公园了。 mean?
- Because it was cold, we went to the park.
- Although it was cold, we still went to the park.
- It was cold, so we didn't go to the park.
- If it's cold, we won't go to the park.
Show the answer and the working
Answer: Although it was cold, we still went to the park.
虽然…但是… means although … (still): it was cold, but we went to the park anyway.
- 虽然天气很冷: although it was cold.
- 但是我们还是: we still.
- 去公园了: went to the park.