以免/免得: So as to Avoid in Chinese
以免/免得…
以免 and 免得 introduce an undesirable outcome that a preceding action is intended to prevent. 以免 is relatively formal, while 免得 is common in speech. Unlike 以便, which introduces a desired enabling purpose, these expressions look ahead to a problem the speaker wants to avoid.
Published July 21, 2026
Reviewed July 21, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Preventive action, 以免 / 免得 + Risk
Read the structure
以免 and 免得 introduce an undesirable outcome that a preceding action is intended to prevent. 以免 is relatively formal, while 免得 is common in speech. Unlike 以便, which introduces a desired enabling purpose, these expressions look ahead to a problem the speaker wants to avoid. Keep the model Preventive action, 以免 / 免得 + Risk visible while you compare each sentence.
请保存文件，以免资料丢失。
Save the file to prevent the information from being lost.
Choose the right context
Explain prevention: 请保存文件，以免资料丢失。 Use 免得 for a conversational warning or precaution. Contrast a preventive action with the unwanted result it blocks.
出门前关好窗户，免得雨水进来。
Close the window before leaving so rain does not get in.
Respect the boundary
Use 以便 when the following clause is a desired positive purpose rather than a risk. Do not put the preventive connector before the action that prevents the problem. Do not leave the unwanted outcome incomplete.
以免保存文件，资料丢失。
(So as to avoid save file, data lost.)
Repair the pattern
The preventive connector precedes the action instead of the risk: The action comes first; 以免 introduces the unwanted outcome being prevented. No unwanted outcome follows the connector: 免得 must introduce the problem the precaution is meant to avoid.
请保存文件，以免资料丢失。
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.
请保存文件，以免资料丢失。
Save the file to prevent the information from being lost.
请
Preventive action, 以免 / 免得
This part occupies the Preventive action, 以免 / 免得 position in the model pattern.
保存
Risk
This part occupies the Risk position in the model pattern.
文件
Preventive action, 以免 / 免得
This part occupies the Preventive action, 以免 / 免得 position in the model pattern.
，
Risk
This part occupies the Risk position in the model pattern.
以免
Preventive action, 以免 / 免得
This part occupies the Preventive action, 以免 / 免得 position in the model pattern.
资料
Risk
This part occupies the Risk position in the model pattern.
丢失
Preventive action, 以免 / 免得
This part occupies the Preventive action, 以免 / 免得 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.
请保存文件，以免资料丢失。
Save the file to prevent the information from being lost.
出门前关好窗户，免得雨水进来。
Close the window before leaving so rain does not get in.
把地址写下来，以免以后忘记。
Write down the address so you do not forget it later.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Explain prevention: 请保存文件，以免资料丢失。
- Use 免得 for a conversational warning or precaution.
- Contrast a preventive action with the unwanted result it blocks.
Do not use it when
- Use 以便 when the following clause is a desired positive purpose rather than a risk.
- Do not put the preventive connector before the action that prevents the problem.
- Do not leave the unwanted outcome incomplete.
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.
以免保存文件，资料丢失。
请保存文件，以免资料丢失。
The preventive connector precedes the action instead of the risk
The action comes first; 以免 introduces the unwanted outcome being prevented.
出门前关好窗户，免得。
出门前关好窗户，免得雨水进来。
No unwanted outcome follows the connector
免得 must introduce the problem the precaution is meant to avoid.
以免保存文件，资料丢失。
Put the preventive action first and the risk after 以免.
出门前关好窗户，免得。
Complete the unwanted outcome after 免得.
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 以免/免得….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 以免/免得…. 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
以免/免得: So as to Avoid Questions
What is the difference between 以免 and 免得?
Their preventive meaning is similar. 以免 is more formal, while 免得 is especially common in conversation.
How is 以免 different from 以便?
以免 introduces an unwanted outcome to prevent. 以便 introduces a positive purpose or condition to facilitate.
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.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 以免/免得…
Supports the learner-facing account of where 以免/免得… appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 以免/免得…
Cross-checks the Preventive action, 以免 / 免得 + Risk pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese 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, combined Levels 7–9 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 9 as an internal subdivision of the official advanced band; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
以便…以便: So That / In Order To
Contrast preventing a negative result with enabling a positive purpose.
Compare
为的是…为的是: The Purpose Is
Separate an unwanted risk from a purpose explained after an action.
Compare
为了…而…为了...而...: For a Purpose
Compare preventive purpose with a formal positive purpose frame.
Compare
首先……，然后……首先……然后…… Ordered Steps
Separate prevention from explicitly ordering first and next process steps.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Easy to confuse
Contrast preventing a negative result with enabling a positive purpose.