Formal Basis Preposition 依 in Chinese
依
The formal preposition 依 introduces a rule, evidence source, sequence, or established basis for the following action. It directly precedes its nominal object, and the resulting prepositional phrase normally appears before the main predicate. Aspect cannot attach to 依 or split the basis phrase from the action it frames.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
依 + Basis Noun Phrase + Predicate
Read the structure
The formal preposition 依 introduces a rule, evidence source, sequence, or established basis for the following action. It directly precedes its nominal object, and the resulting prepositional phrase normally appears before the main predicate. Aspect cannot attach to 依 or split the basis phrase from the action it frames. Keep the model 依 + Basis Noun Phrase + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
本案将依法审理。
This case will be tried according to law.
Choose the right context
Use 依 before a law, rule, or agreed basis. Keep the basis noun phrase contiguous after 依, especially in formal instructions and legal descriptions. Use the 依 phrase before the action governed by that basis. Use established formal combinations such as 依法 and 依次.
请依次进入会场。
Please enter the venue in order.
Respect the boundary
Do not attach aspect 了 to 依. Do not place the basis object before 依. Do not strand the 依 phrase after the main predicate's object.
本案将依了法审理。
(This case will be tried according to law.)
Repair the pattern
Aspect marker attaches to preposition: Preposition 依 cannot take perfective 了 between itself and object 法. Preposition follows its basis object: 依 must precede and govern its object 协议.
本案将依法审理。
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.
本案将依法审理。
This case will be tried according to law.
本案
依
This part occupies the 依 position in the model pattern.
将
Basis Noun Phrase
This part occupies the Basis Noun Phrase position in the model pattern.
依法
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
审理
依
This part occupies the 依 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.
本案将依法审理。
This case will be tried according to law.
请依次进入会场。
Please enter the venue in order.
我们依协议办理交接。
We will carry out the handover according to the agreement.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 依 before a law, rule, or agreed basis. Keep the basis noun phrase contiguous after 依, especially in formal instructions and legal descriptions.
- Use the 依 phrase before the action governed by that basis.
- Use established formal combinations such as 依法 and 依次.
Do not use it when
- Do not attach aspect 了 to 依.
- Do not place the basis object before 依.
- Do not strand the 依 phrase after the main predicate's 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.
本案将依了法审理。
本案将依法审理。
Aspect marker attaches to preposition
Preposition 依 cannot take perfective 了 between itself and object 法.
我们协议依办理交接。
我们依协议办理交接。
Preposition follows its basis object
依 must precede and govern its object 协议.
本案将依了法审理。
Preposition 依 cannot take perfective 了 between itself and object 法.
我们协议依办理交接。
依 must precede and govern its object 协议.
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 依.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 依. 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 Basis Preposition 依 Questions
Is 依 interchangeable with 依据?
Their basis meanings overlap, but 依 is especially compact and formal in established combinations.
Can 依 follow the main verb?
The basis phrase normally precedes the main predicate it frames.
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—九053】 (PDF p. 248)
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 14, Prepositions
Supports preposition-object phrases before the predicate; GF supplies formal 依 as the exact basis marker.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
根据Evidential Basis with 根据
Compare the concise formal compliance of 依 with the evidence source description of 根据 to avoid confusing standards of conduct with judgment evidence.
Easy to confuse
依据Normative Basis with 依据
Distinguish between the prepositional usage of 依 placed directly before the standard and the multiple functions of 依 which can be used as a noun or preposition.
Compare
凭Basis and Reliance with 凭
Compare 依 external standard actions with 凭 own conditions or evidence actions, and avoid writing compliance relationships as 依 dependence relationships.
Easy to confuse
顺着Following a Path with 顺着
依 introduces a governing standard or rule; 顺着 introduces a physical path or a line of reasoning.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Compare
Compare the concise formal compliance of 依 with the evidence source description of 根据 to avoid confusing standards of conduct with judgment evidence.