HSK 9
以致/以至于: With the Result That in Chinese
以致 and 以至于 introduce a result or further extent produced by the preceding situation. 以致 strongly favors an unintended or undesirable consequence, while 以至于 has broader use for a developed result or extreme degree, though negative outcomes are also common. Both connect the cause before them to the result clause that follows.
STRUCTURE
Cause, 以致/以至于 + Result/Extent
When to use 以致/以至于… — and when not
Use it when
- For an unintended result: 连续下雨，以致道路多处积水。
- For an extreme consequence: 他过于紧张，以至于忘了开场白。
- For a developing situation reaching a further point: 讨论越来越激烈，以至于会议延长了一小时。
Don't use it when
- Do not put the result marker after the result-clause subject or predicate.
- Do not use 以致 as a neutral replacement for every causal 所以; it commonly highlights an adverse or unintended outcome.
- Do not claim that 以至于 can only introduce negative results; its distribution is broader than 以致.
Right vs. wrong
连续下雨，道路以致多处积水。
连续下雨，以致道路多处积水。
以致 is placed after the result-clause subject
以致 introduces the entire result clause 道路多处积水 and must come before that clause's subject.
他过于紧张，忘了以至于准备好的开场白。
他过于紧张，以至于忘了准备好的开场白。
以至于 is inserted between a verb and its object
以至于 connects the cause to the whole result clause; it cannot split 忘了 from its object 开场白.
Examples
连续下雨，以致道路多处积水。
Liánxù xiàyǔ, yǐzhì dàolù duō chù jīshuǐ.
It rained continuously, causing water to collect on many roads.
他过于紧张，以至于忘了准备好的开场白。
Tā guòyú jǐnzhāng, yǐzhìyú wàng le zhǔnbèi hǎo de kāichǎngbái.
He was so nervous that he forgot his prepared opening.
讨论越来越激烈，以至于会议延长了一小时。
Tǎolùn yuèláiyuè jīliè, yǐzhìyú huìyì yáncháng le yì xiǎoshí.
The discussion grew so intense that the meeting ran an hour longer.
Common mistakes
连续下雨，道路以致多处积水。
Liánxù xiàyǔ, dàolù yǐzhì duō chù jīshuǐ.
Put 以致 before the result-clause subject: 以致道路多处积水。
他过于紧张，忘了以至于准备好的开场白。
Tā guòyú jǐnzhāng, wàng le yǐzhìyú zhǔnbèi hǎo de kāichǎngbái.
Use 以至于 before the whole result clause: 以至于忘了准备好的开场白。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 以致/以至于… sentence and check that grammar point first.
以致/以至于: With the Result That FAQ
What is the difference between 以致 and 以至于?
以致 strongly tends toward unintended or undesirable consequences. 以至于 more broadly marks a developed result or an extreme degree, although negative results are also frequent.
Can 以至于 introduce a positive result?
It can in suitable contexts because its range is broader than 以致. Evaluate the cause-result relation and register rather than rejecting a sentence solely because the result is positive.