Hypothetical Sentence Groups in Chinese
假设复句
A hypothetical sentence group presents a proposed, uncertain, or counterfactual condition and then states the result that would follow. Common markers include 如果, 要是, 假如, and 就, but context can sometimes make one marker unnecessary. The pattern describes a relation between clauses rather than guaranteeing that the condition is true.
Published August 15, 2026
Reviewed August 15, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
(如果/要是/假如) + Condition，(就) + Result
Read the structure
A hypothetical sentence group presents a proposed, uncertain, or counterfactual condition and then states the result that would follow. Common markers include 如果, 要是, 假如, and 就, but context can sometimes make one marker unnecessary. The pattern describes a relation between clauses rather than guaranteeing that the condition is true. Keep the model (如果/要是/假如) + Condition，(就) + Result visible while you compare each sentence.
如果明天下雨，我们就不去公园。
If it rains tomorrow, we will not go to the park.
Choose the right context
State what would happen under a proposed condition. Use 如果, 要是, or 假如 to introduce the condition. Use 就 when the result is presented as following from that condition.
要是你有时间，就给我打电话。
If you have time, call me.
Respect the boundary
Do not present an already known cause as a mere hypothesis. Do not put 就 before an unfinished condition clause. Do not claim both connective positions must always be overt.
如果就明天下雨，我们不去公园。
(If then tomorrow rains, we do not go.)
Repair the pattern
就 interrupts the condition: The condition follows 如果 as a complete clause, while 就 belongs with the resulting clause here. The result clause is missing: 就 must introduce a recoverable result and cannot finish this sentence without a predicate.
如果明天下雨，我们就不去公园。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
如果明天下雨，我们就不去公园。
If it rains tomorrow, we will not go to the park.
如果
(如果/要是/假如)
This part occupies the (如果/要是/假如) position in the model pattern.
明天
Condition，(就)
This part occupies the Condition，(就) position in the model pattern.
下雨
Result
This part occupies the Result position in the model pattern.
，
(如果/要是/假如)
This part occupies the (如果/要是/假如) position in the model pattern.
我们
Condition，(就)
This part occupies the Condition，(就) position in the model pattern.
就
Result
This part occupies the Result position in the model pattern.
不去
(如果/要是/假如)
This part occupies the (如果/要是/假如) position in the model pattern.
公园
Condition，(就)
This part occupies the Condition，(就) position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
如果明天下雨，我们就不去公园。
If it rains tomorrow, we will not go to the park.
要是你有时间，就给我打电话。
If you have time, call me.
假如他不同意，我们再想别的办法。
If he does not agree, we will think of another solution.
明天有空，我们一起去看电影。
If we are free tomorrow, we can go to a movie together.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- State what would happen under a proposed condition.
- Use 如果, 要是, or 假如 to introduce the condition.
- Use 就 when the result is presented as following from that condition.
Do not use it when
- Do not present an already known cause as a mere hypothesis.
- Do not put 就 before an unfinished condition clause.
- Do not claim both connective positions must always be overt.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
如果就明天下雨，我们不去公园。
如果明天下雨，我们就不去公园。
就 interrupts the condition
The condition follows 如果 as a complete clause, while 就 belongs with the resulting clause here.
要是你有时间，就。
要是你有时间，就给我打电话。
The result clause is missing
就 must introduce a recoverable result and cannot finish this sentence without a predicate.
如果就明天下雨，我们不去公园。
The condition follows 如果 as a complete clause, while 就 belongs with the resulting clause here.
要是你有时间，就。
就 must introduce a recoverable result and cannot finish this sentence without a predicate.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 假设复句.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 假设复句. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Hypothetical Sentence Groups Questions
Must a hypothetical sentence use 如果?
No. 要是 and 假如 are common alternatives, and context can sometimes leave the relation unmarked. Explicit markers are useful when ambiguity is possible.
Does 就 always appear in the result?
No. It makes the condition-result link explicit, but natural contexts can omit it. Its absence is therefore not automatically an error.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 2 item 【二66】, PDF p. 195 (printed p. 189)
Places hypothetical sentence groups at Level 2 with marked and context-supported condition-result examples.
Official source现代汉语语法课程讲义
包头师范学院 · 包头师范学院 · 2024
Locator: Hypothetical complex sentences, slide 59
Defines hypothetical clauses and lists 如果, 假如, 若, and 要是 with 就 as common condition-result markers.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
如果…就如果...就 (If... Then)
Continue from the general hypothetical relation to the neutral explicit 如果就 pattern.
Compare
假如…（就）…假如...就...: Suppose That
Compare the broad condition family with explicit supposition introduced by 假如.
Compare
倘若/若…就…倘若...就...: Formal If
Distinguish everyday hypothetical relations from the more formal written 倘若就 frame.
Compare
若若: Formal If
Compare common condition markers with concise literary 若 in written hypothetical clauses.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Continue learning
Continue from the general hypothetical relation to the neutral explicit 如果就 pattern.