HSK 9
连...更不用说... (lián) in Chinese
连...更不用说... builds an ordered scale: if a result already holds for a more basic, easier, or more expected case, it is even more obvious for the stronger case introduced by 更不用说. 连 marks the first focused case, usually with 都 or 也, and 更不用说 introduces the let-alone conclusion.
STRUCTURE
连 + Basic Case + 都/也..., 更不用说 + Harder Case
When to use 连…更不用说… — and when not
Use it when
- From an easier case to a harder one: 他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
- From a basic item to a stronger one: 这台电脑连图片都打不开，更不用说视频了。
- To make an obvious scale inference: 连成年人都会累，更不用说孩子了。
Don't use it when
- When the two cases do not form an interpretable scale.
- Do not place 都 or 也 between 连 and the focused item.
- Do not place 更不用说 after the stronger noun as a sentence-final particle.
Right vs. wrong
他连都日常对话听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
都 is placed before the focused item in the 连 phrase
连 must directly introduce the focused item 日常对话. Put 都 after that item and before the predicate 听不懂.
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更视频不用说了。
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更不用说视频了。
更不用说 is placed after the stronger case
更不用说 introduces the stronger case and must come before 视频 rather than follow it.
Examples
他连日常对话都听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
Tā lián rìcháng duìhuà dōu tīngbudǒng, gèng búyòng shuō xīnwén le.
He cannot understand even everyday conversation, let alone the news.
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更不用说视频了。
Zhè tái diànnǎo lián túpiàn dōu dǎbukāi, gèng búyòng shuō shìpín le.
This computer cannot even open images, let alone videos.
连成年人都会累，更不用说孩子了。
Lián chéngniánrén dōu huì lèi, gèng búyòng shuō háizi le.
Even adults get tired, let alone children.
Common mistakes
他连都日常对话听不懂，更不用说新闻了。
Tā lián dōu rìcháng duìhuà tīngbudǒng, gèng búyòng shuō xīnwén le.
Put 都 after the focused item: 连日常对话都听不懂。
这台电脑连图片都打不开，更视频不用说了。
Zhè tái diànnǎo lián túpiàn dōu dǎbukāi, gèng shìpín búyòng shuō le.
Keep 更不用说 together before the stronger case: 更不用说视频了。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 连…更不用说… sentence and check that grammar point first.
连...更不用说... (lián) FAQ
How should the two cases be ordered in 连...更不用说...?
The 连 clause normally names the more basic, easier, or more expected case. 更不用说 then introduces a stronger, harder, or even more obvious case.
Can 更不用说 appear without 连?
Yes. A preceding sentence can establish the first point, and 更不用说 can introduce the stronger one. The scale still needs to be clear from context.