Adding Information with 另外 in Chinese
另外
另外 adds something outside the scope already mentioned. It can link a new sentence or clause, modify a verb phrase, or identify another noun. As a connective it commonly begins the added clause and is followed by a pause. Its exact punctuation and the presence of 的 depend on its grammatical role.
Published August 1, 2026
Reviewed August 1, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外 + Verb Phrase / 另外的 + Noun
Read the structure
另外 adds something outside the scope already mentioned. It can link a new sentence or clause, modify a verb phrase, or identify another noun. As a connective it commonly begins the added clause and is followed by a pause. Its exact punctuation and the presence of 的 depend on its grammatical role. Keep the model Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外 + Verb Phrase / 另外的 + Noun visible while you compare each sentence.
我已经给他打了电话，另外，我又写了一封信。
I called him and, in addition, wrote another letter.
Choose the right context
Add another action or fact after a completed point. Modify a later action meaning separately or additionally. Identify another item with 另外的 before a noun.
这些问题我们另外找时间再谈。
We will find another time to discuss these questions.
Respect the boundary
Do not split 另外的 from the noun it modifies. Do not scatter the words of a quantity phrase around 另外. Do not treat every use as a sentence connector when it directly modifies a noun or verb.
另外问题的我们以后再谈。
(Other questions de we discuss later.)
Repair the pattern
The noun modifier is placed in the wrong order: When 另外 modifies a noun here, 的 must follow 另外 and precede the noun. The quantity phrase is broken around 另外: 另外 modifies the following predicate, while 一本书 must remain an intact quantity phrase.
另外的问题我们以后再谈。
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.
我已经给他打了电话，另外，我又写了一封信。
I called him and, in addition, wrote another letter.
我
Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外
This part occupies the Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外 position in the model pattern.
已经
Verb Phrase / 另外的
This part occupies the Verb Phrase / 另外的 position in the model pattern.
给
Noun
This part occupies the Noun position in the model pattern.
他
Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外
This part occupies the Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外 position in the model pattern.
打
Verb Phrase / 另外的
This part occupies the Verb Phrase / 另外的 position in the model pattern.
了
Noun
This part occupies the Noun position in the model pattern.
电话
Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外
This part occupies the Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外 position in the model pattern.
，
Verb Phrase / 另外的
This part occupies the Verb Phrase / 另外的 position in the model pattern.
另外
Noun
This part occupies the Noun position in the model pattern.
，
Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外
This part occupies the Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外 position in the model pattern.
我又
Verb Phrase / 另外的
This part occupies the Verb Phrase / 另外的 position in the model pattern.
写
Noun
This part occupies the Noun position in the model pattern.
了
Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外
This part occupies the Clause 1，另外，Clause 2 / 另外 position in the model pattern.
一封信
Verb Phrase / 另外的
This part occupies the Verb Phrase / 另外的 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.
我已经给他打了电话，另外，我又写了一封信。
I called him and, in addition, wrote another letter.
这些问题我们另外找时间再谈。
We will find another time to discuss these questions.
另外的问题以后再说。
We will discuss the other questions later.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Add another action or fact after a completed point.
- Modify a later action meaning separately or additionally.
- Identify another item with 另外的 before a noun.
Do not use it when
- Do not split 另外的 from the noun it modifies.
- Do not scatter the words of a quantity phrase around 另外.
- Do not treat every use as a sentence connector when it directly modifies a noun or verb.
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.
另外问题的我们以后再谈。
另外的问题我们以后再谈。
The noun modifier is placed in the wrong order
When 另外 modifies a noun here, 的 must follow 另外 and precede the noun.
我一本另外还有书。
我另外还有一本书。
The quantity phrase is broken around 另外
另外 modifies the following predicate, while 一本书 must remain an intact quantity phrase.
另外问题的我们以后再谈。
When 另外 modifies a noun here, 的 must follow 另外 and precede the noun.
我一本另外还有书。
另外 modifies the following predicate, while 一本书 must remain an intact quantity phrase.
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 另外.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 另外. 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
Adding Information with 另外 Questions
Does 另外 always need 的?
No. It commonly takes 的 before a noun, but not before a quantity phrase, and adverbial or connective uses do not take 的.
How is 另外 different from 此外?
Both can add information. 另外 also has clear pronoun and adverb uses inside a clause, while 此外 is mainly a connective or adverbial addition marker.
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 3 item 【三30】, PDF pp. 202–203
Lists 另外 at Level 3 for connecting clauses or sentences and gives additive examples.
Official source高级汉语综合（下）
兰州大学国际文化交流学院 · Lanzhou University · 2017
Locator: Course PDF pp. 8–9, 另外
Distinguishes pronoun, adverb, and connective uses, including 的, quantity phrases, and clause-initial pauses.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
此外此外 as a Discourse Addition
另外 and 此外 both add information, while 另外 also functions inside noun and verb phrases.
Easy to confuse
除此之外除此之外 (chúcǐ zhīwài)
Compare compact 另外 with the anaphoric phrase 除此之外 when adding a discourse point.
Compare
不仅/不光…还/而且…不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě)
Separate neutral addition from an explicitly escalating second point introduced by 而且.
Continue learning
首先…其次…首先...其次...: First and Second
Place an additional point after an ordered first or second step in exposition.
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Easy to confuse
另外 and 此外 both add information, while 另外 also functions inside noun and verb phrases.