以致/以至于: With the Result That in Chinese
以致/以至于…
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.
Published July 17, 2026
Reviewed July 17, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Cause, 以致/以至于 + Result/Extent
Read the structure
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. Keep the model Cause, 以致/以至于 + Result/Extent visible while you compare each sentence.
连续下雨，以致道路多处积水。
It rained continuously, causing water to collect on many roads.
Choose the right context
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。
他过于紧张，以至于忘了准备好的开场白。
He was so nervous that he forgot his prepared opening.
Respect the boundary
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.
连续下雨，道路以致多处积水。
(Continuous rain caused water to collect on many roads.)
Repair the pattern
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. 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.
连续下雨，以致道路多处积水。
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.
连续下雨，以致道路多处积水。
It rained continuously, causing water to collect on many roads.
连续
Cause, 以致/以至于
This part occupies the Cause, 以致/以至于 position in the model pattern.
下雨
Result/Extent
This part occupies the Result/Extent position in the model pattern.
，
Cause, 以致/以至于
This part occupies the Cause, 以致/以至于 position in the model pattern.
以致
Result/Extent
This part occupies the Result/Extent position in the model pattern.
道路
Cause, 以致/以至于
This part occupies the Cause, 以致/以至于 position in the model pattern.
多
Result/Extent
This part occupies the Result/Extent position in the model pattern.
处
Cause, 以致/以至于
This part occupies the Cause, 以致/以至于 position in the model pattern.
积
Result/Extent
This part occupies the Result/Extent position in the model pattern.
水
Cause, 以致/以至于
This part occupies the Cause, 以致/以至于 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.
连续下雨，以致道路多处积水。
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。
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。
The discussion grew so intense that the meeting ran an hour longer.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
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。
Do not 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.
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.
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.
连续下雨，道路以致多处积水。
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。
Use 以至于 before the whole result clause: 以至于忘了准备好的开场白。
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 以致/以至于….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 以致/以至于…. 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
以致/以至于: With the Result That Questions
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.
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 以致/以至于…
Supports the learner-facing account of where 以致/以至于… 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 以致/以至于…
Cross-checks the Cause, 以致/以至于 + Result/Extent 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
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