Basis and Reliance with 凭 in Chinese
凭
Prepositional 凭 introduces the evidence, qualification, resource, or personal capacity relied on for the following judgment or action. The complete 凭 phrase precedes the predicate. Because the relationship is one of reliance, 凭 cannot take aspect itself, strand its object, or be inserted between the main verb and that verb's object.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
凭 + Basis/Qualification + Predicate
Read the structure
Prepositional 凭 introduces the evidence, qualification, resource, or personal capacity relied on for the following judgment or action. The complete 凭 phrase precedes the predicate. Because the relationship is one of reliance, 凭 cannot take aspect itself, strand its object, or be inserted between the main verb and that verb's object. Keep the model 凭 + Basis/Qualification + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
凭他的经验，这件事能办好。
With his experience, this matter can be handled well.
Choose the right context
Use 凭 before a skill or qualification supporting a judgment. Use 凭 before evidence or experience relied upon for action. Place the full 凭 phrase before the main predicate.
你不能只凭感觉判断。
You cannot judge solely by feeling.
Respect the boundary
Do not attach perfective 了 to prepositional 凭. Do not split 凭 from its basis noun phrase. Do not insert the basis phrase inside the main verb-object unit.
她实力凭赢得了比赛。
(She won the competition through ability.)
Repair the pattern
Basis noun precedes its preposition: In the target prepositional phrase, 凭 must precede its basis noun phrase 实力; 实力凭 cannot introduce the basis for 赢得. Basis phrase interrupts main verb and object: The complete 凭 phrase precedes 判断 and cannot split the verb from its object.
她凭实力赢得了比赛。
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.
凭他的经验，这件事能办好。
With his experience, this matter can be handled well.
凭
凭
This part occupies the 凭 position in the model pattern.
他的
Basis/Qualification
This part occupies the Basis/Qualification position in the model pattern.
经验
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
，
凭
This part occupies the 凭 position in the model pattern.
这
Basis/Qualification
This part occupies the Basis/Qualification position in the model pattern.
件
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
事
凭
This part occupies the 凭 position in the model pattern.
能
Basis/Qualification
This part occupies the Basis/Qualification position in the model pattern.
办
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
好
凭
This part occupies the 凭 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.
凭他的经验，这件事能办好。
With his experience, this matter can be handled well.
你不能只凭感觉判断。
You cannot judge solely by feeling.
她凭实力赢得了比赛。
She won the competition on the strength of her ability.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 凭 before a skill or qualification supporting a judgment.
- Use 凭 before evidence or experience relied upon for action.
- Place the full 凭 phrase before the main predicate.
Do not use it when
- Do not attach perfective 了 to prepositional 凭.
- Do not split 凭 from its basis noun phrase.
- Do not insert the basis phrase inside the main verb-object unit.
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.
她实力凭赢得了比赛。
她凭实力赢得了比赛。
Basis noun precedes its preposition
In the target prepositional phrase, 凭 must precede its basis noun phrase 实力; 实力凭 cannot introduce the basis for 赢得.
你不能判断凭感觉这件事。
你不能凭感觉判断这件事。
Basis phrase interrupts main verb and object
The complete 凭 phrase precedes 判断 and cannot split the verb from its object.
她实力凭赢得了比赛。
In the target prepositional phrase, 凭 must precede its basis noun phrase 实力; 实力凭 cannot introduce the basis for 赢得.
你不能判断凭感觉这件事。
The complete 凭 phrase precedes 判断 and cannot split the verb from its object.
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 凭.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 凭. 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
Basis and Reliance with 凭 Questions
Can 凭 be followed by a person?
Yes when that person or their capacity is the relied-on basis, as in 凭他的经验.
How is 凭 different from 根据?
凭 emphasizes reliance on a resource or qualification; 根据 more neutrally cites evidence or authority.
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, Level 5 item 【五12】 (PDF p. 224)
Provides official Level 5 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 14, Prepositions
Supports basis-introducing prepositional phrases before the main predicate; GF item 【五12】 supplies the reliance meaning and examples of 凭.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
根据Evidential Basis with 根据
Distinguish between 凭 relying on qualifications, experience or conditions and 根据 citing data facts, and avoid writing subjective grasps into objective evidence.
Compare
依据Normative Basis with 依据
凭 often means relying on a condition or qualification, whereas 依据 formally names the evidence or standard.
Compare
依Formal Basis Preposition 依
Distinguish between 凭 relying on the conditions owned by the subject and 依 following external standards, and check whether the power of behavior comes from abilities or rules.
Compare
从……来看Assessment Frame 从…来看
Relying on a qualification differs from drawing an assessment from evidence explicitly framed by 从…来看.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Easy to confuse
Distinguish between 凭 relying on qualifications, experience or conditions and 根据 citing data facts, and avoid writing subjective grasps into objective evidence.