HSK 9
以免/免得: So as to Avoid in Chinese
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.
STRUCTURE
Preventive action, 以免 / 免得 + Risk
When to use 以免/免得… — and when not
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.
Don't 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.
Right vs. wrong
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.
Examples
请保存文件，以免资料丢失。
Qǐng bǎocún wénjiàn, yǐmiǎn zīliào diūshī.
Save the file to prevent the information from being lost.
出门前关好窗户，免得雨水进来。
Chūmén qián guānhǎo chuānghu, miǎnde yǔshuǐ jìnlái.
Close the window before leaving so rain does not get in.
把地址写下来，以免以后忘记。
Bǎ dìzhǐ xiě xiàlái, yǐmiǎn yǐhòu wàngjì.
Write down the address so you do not forget it later.
Common mistakes
以免保存文件，资料丢失。
Yǐmiǎn bǎocún wénjiàn, zīliào diūshī.
Put the preventive action first and the risk after 以免.
出门前关好窗户，免得。
Chūmén qián guānhǎo chuānghu, miǎnde.
Complete the unwanted outcome after 免得.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 以免/免得… sentence and check that grammar point first.
以免/免得: So as to Avoid FAQ
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.
Related Chinese grammar points
以便…
以便: So That / In Order To
Easy to confuse
Contrast preventing a negative result with enabling a positive purpose.
为的是…
为的是: The Purpose Is
Compare
Separate an unwanted risk from a purpose explained after an action.
为了…而…
为了...而...: For a Purpose
Compare
Compare preventive purpose with a formal positive purpose frame.