Normative Basis with 依据 in Chinese
依据
依据 introduces facts, clues, standards, or rules that authorize a following judgment or action. It is common in formal and written contexts. As a preposition it forms a complete phrase before the main predicate; as a noun it can mean grounds. The preverbal form cannot carry aspect or split the main verb from its object.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
依据 + Evidence/Rule + Predicate
Read the structure
依据 introduces facts, clues, standards, or rules that authorize a following judgment or action. It is common in formal and written contexts. As a preposition it forms a complete phrase before the main predicate; as a noun it can mean grounds. The preverbal form cannot carry aspect or split the main verb from its object. Keep the model 依据 + Evidence/Rule + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
警察依据线索找到了嫌疑人。
The police found the suspect on the basis of clues.
Choose the right context
Use 依据 before facts or clues supporting an action. Use it before rules or standards governing a decision. Use nominal 依据 after 是 or as a head noun when meaning grounds.
我们要依据事实作出判断。
We must make a judgment based on facts.
Respect the boundary
Do not attach perfective 了 to prepositional 依据. Do not place the basis phrase between a main verb and object. Do not omit the basis object in the preverbal construction.
警察依据线索了找到嫌疑人。
(The police found the suspect based on clues.)
Repair the pattern
Aspect marker follows the basis phrase instead of the main verb: The basis phrase 依据线索 ends before the main predicate; perfective 了 belongs after the main result verb 找到, not after the basis phrase. Basis phrase splits main verb and object: 依据事实 precedes the main predicate and cannot split 作出判断.
警察依据线索找到了嫌疑人。
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.
警察依据线索找到了嫌疑人。
The police found the suspect on the basis of clues.
警察
依据
This part occupies the 依据 position in the model pattern.
依据
Evidence/Rule
This part occupies the Evidence/Rule position in the model pattern.
线索
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
找到
依据
This part occupies the 依据 position in the model pattern.
了
Evidence/Rule
This part occupies the Evidence/Rule position in the model pattern.
嫌疑
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
人
依据
This part occupies the 依据 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.
警察依据线索找到了嫌疑人。
The police found the suspect on the basis of clues.
我们要依据事实作出判断。
We must make a judgment based on facts.
这份报告是决策的重要依据。
This report is an important basis for the decision.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 依据 before facts or clues supporting an action.
- Use it before rules or standards governing a decision.
- Use nominal 依据 after 是 or as a head noun when meaning grounds.
Do not use it when
- Do not attach perfective 了 to prepositional 依据.
- Do not place the basis phrase between a main verb and object.
- Do not omit the basis object in the preverbal construction.
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.
警察依据线索了找到嫌疑人。
警察依据线索找到了嫌疑人。
Aspect marker follows the basis phrase instead of the main verb
The basis phrase 依据线索 ends before the main predicate; perfective 了 belongs after the main result verb 找到, not after the basis phrase.
我们作出依据事实判断。
我们依据事实作出判断。
Basis phrase splits main verb and object
依据事实 precedes the main predicate and cannot split 作出判断.
警察依据线索了找到嫌疑人。
The basis phrase 依据线索 ends before the main predicate; perfective 了 belongs after the main result verb 找到, not after the basis phrase.
我们作出依据事实判断。
依据事实 precedes the main predicate and cannot split 作出判断.
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 依据.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 依据. 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
Normative Basis with 依据 Questions
Can 依据 be a noun?
Yes. It can mean grounds or basis, as in 重要依据.
Is 依据 more formal than 根据?
It is especially common in formal writing; the two overlap substantially as prepositions.
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 【五13】 (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 evidential and normative prepositional phrases before the main predicate; GF item 【五13】 supplies the exact use of 依据.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
凭Basis and Reliance with 凭
Distinguish the formal basis or noun center usage of 依据 from the condition of 凭, and check whether it is a preposition or a noun.
Easy to confuse
依Formal Basis Preposition 依
依据 can name or introduce a basis, whereas 依 normally precedes the standard being followed.
Continue learning
根据Evidential Basis with 根据
Compare the formal evidence expression of 依据 with the neutral common form of 根据 and continue to identify noun and preposition usage.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Continue learning
Compare the formal evidence expression of 依据 with the neutral common form of 根据 and continue to identify noun and preposition usage.