HSK 6
凡是...都... (fánshì...dōu) in Chinese
凡是...都... makes a general statement about every person, thing, or situation that meets a stated condition. 凡是 introduces the class or condition, and 都 marks the result as applying across that whole class. The construction is common in rules and formal generalizations, so exceptions should not be hidden when the claim is not truly universal.
STRUCTURE
凡是 + Class/Condition, 都 + Result
When to use 凡是…都… — and when not
Use it when
- For a rule applying to a class: 凡是报名的人都要带身份证。
- For a broad generalization supported by context: 凡是他答应的事，他都会做到。
- To define eligible items or situations: 凡是符合条件的申请都可以提交。
Don't use it when
- When only some members of the class are meant; use 有些, 大多数, or a narrower description.
- Do not stack 凡是 and 都 before the condition.
- Do not put 都 before the result-clause subject when that subject is overt.
Right vs. wrong
凡是都报名的人要带身份证。
凡是报名的人都要带身份证。
凡是 and 都 are stacked before the condition
凡是 introduces the class 报名的人, while 都 belongs before the result predicate 要带身份证.
凡是他答应的事，都他会做到。
凡是他答应的事，他都会做到。
都 is placed before the result-clause subject
In the result clause, put the subject 他 before the scope adverb 都: 他 + 都 + 会做到.
Examples
凡是报名的人都要带身份证。
Fánshì bàomíng de rén dōu yào dài shēnfènzhèng.
Everyone who registers must bring identification.
凡是他答应的事，他都会做到。
Fánshì tā dāying de shì, tā dōu huì zuòdào.
Whatever he promises, he follows through on.
凡是符合条件的申请都可以提交。
Fánshì fúhé tiáojiàn de shēnqǐng dōu kěyǐ tíjiāo.
Every application that meets the requirements may be submitted.
Common mistakes
凡是都报名的人要带身份证。
Fánshì dōu bàomíng de rén yào dài shēnfènzhèng.
Move 都 to the result: 凡是报名的人都要带身份证。
凡是他答应的事，都他会做到。
Fánshì tā dāying de shì, dōu tā huì zuòdào.
Put the result-clause subject before 都: 他都会做到。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 凡是…都… sentence and check that grammar point first.
凡是...都... (fánshì...dōu) FAQ
What is the difference between 凡是...都... and 只要...就...?
凡是...都... generalizes across every member of a class. 只要...就... presents a sufficient condition for a result in the stated context; their meanings can overlap but their focus differs.
Does 凡是 require 都?
都 is the standard partner that makes the universal scope explicit. Other universal wording can sometimes carry the result, but omitting every scope cue may make the sentence incomplete or change its emphasis.