Formal Immediate Sequence with 即 in Chinese
即
The formal time adverb 即 can mark that a second action follows immediately once a condition or first event is satisfied. It appears before the ensuing predicate, often in instructions or written narration. In this use it cannot follow the object, bear aspect itself, or be inserted inside a verb-object constituent.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
First Event, Subject + 即 + Second Predicate
Read the structure
The formal time adverb 即 can mark that a second action follows immediately once a condition or first event is satisfied. It appears before the ensuing predicate, often in instructions or written narration. In this use it cannot follow the object, bear aspect itself, or be inserted inside a verb-object constituent. Keep the model First Event, Subject + 即 + Second Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
审核通过后即可发布。
It may be published immediately after approval.
Choose the right context
Use 即 before an action that follows immediately. Use it in concise formal instructions or narration. Establish the triggering condition or preceding event when needed.
他抵达会场后即开始演讲。
He began speaking immediately after arriving at the venue.
Respect the boundary
Do not attach aspect 了 to 即. Do not place 即 after the following predicate's object. Do not insert it between a verb and its object.
审核通过后即了可发布。
(It may be published immediately after approval.)
Repair the pattern
Aspect marker attaches to the time adverb: Time adverb 即 cannot bear perfective 了 before modal 可. Time adverb is placed after the object: 即 must precede the complete predicate 采取措施.
审核通过后即可发布。
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.
审核通过后即可发布。
It may be published immediately after approval.
审核
First Event, Subject
This part occupies the First Event, Subject position in the model pattern.
通过
即
This part occupies the 即 position in the model pattern.
后
Second Predicate
This part occupies the Second Predicate position in the model pattern.
即可
First Event, Subject
This part occupies the First Event, Subject position in the model pattern.
发布
即
This part occupies the 即 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.
审核通过后即可发布。
It may be published immediately after approval.
他抵达会场后即开始演讲。
He began speaking immediately after arriving at the venue.
问题一旦确认，我们即采取措施。
Once the problem is confirmed, we will act immediately.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 即 before an action that follows immediately.
- Use it in concise formal instructions or narration.
- Establish the triggering condition or preceding event when needed.
Do not use it when
- Do not attach aspect 了 to 即.
- Do not place 即 after the following predicate's object.
- Do not insert it between a verb and its object.
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.
审核通过后即了可发布。
审核通过后即可发布。
Aspect marker attaches to the time adverb
Time adverb 即 cannot bear perfective 了 before modal 可.
我们采取措施即。
我们即采取措施。
Time adverb is placed after the object
即 must precede the complete predicate 采取措施.
审核通过后即了可发布。
Time adverb 即 cannot bear perfective 了 before modal 可.
我们采取措施即。
即 must precede the complete predicate 采取措施.
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 即.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 即. 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
Formal Immediate Sequence with 即 Questions
Does 即 always mean immediately?
No. It has other formal linking and identification uses; this card covers its immediate-sequence use.
Is 即 common in speech?
It is most characteristic of concise formal writing, instructions, and announcements.
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: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, official combined Levels 7-9 item 【七—九016】 (PDF p. 244)
Provides official combined Levels 7-9 directory placement and examples only; it does not establish the learner-facing usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 42, §§42.2–42.4, expressing sequence and sentence adverbs indicating afterward
Supports a sequence adverb before the later predicate; GF supplies 即 as the exact formal immediate marker.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
刚好/恰好Exact Coincidence with 刚好 and 恰好
Distinguish between 即 indicating that it immediately follows 即 or its written equivalent and 刚好恰好 indicating that the conditions are consistent, so as to avoid mistaking the following as a coincidence.
Easy to confuse
乃Formal Identification and Result with 乃
即 can mark equivalence or immediate sequence; 乃 more often marks formal identification or consequent linkage.
Continue learning
马上/先/有时/正在Basic Time and Progress Adverbs
Compare written 即 for immediate sequence with everyday 马上, while keeping both before their predicates.
Compare
此后Subsequent Sequence with 此后
即 presents immediate succession; 此后 opens a longer subsequent period from a reference point.
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Compare written 即 for immediate sequence with everyday 马上, while keeping both before their predicates.