Avoiding Outcomes: 以免 / 免得
以免/免得
Use 以免 and 免得 to express doing something in order to avoid an undesirable result
以免 and 免得 both mean "in order to avoid / so as not to / lest." They introduce an undesirable outcome that the preceding action aims to prevent. 以免 is more formal and written; 免得 is more colloquial.
以免 = 以 (in order to) + 免 (avoid) — formal. 免得 = 免 (avoid) + 得 — colloquial. Both follow the same structure: state the action first, then 以免/免得 + the unwanted result.
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Understanding 以免/免得
以免 and 免得 are purpose connectives that express avoidance — you do something specifically to prevent a bad outcome. For example: 多穿点儿衣服，以免感冒 (Wear more clothes, so as not to catch a cold). The structure is always: first state the action or precaution, then use 以免/免得 to introduce what you are trying to avoid. 以免 is preferred in written Chinese, formal notices, and official communications. 免得 is the spoken counterpart — what you would say to a friend. The undesirable result after 以免/免得 is always something negative — something you do not want to happen. This pattern is extremely practical for giving advice, warnings, and explanations of preventive measures.
Key Points
- 以免 = "in order to avoid / so as not to" — formal, written.
- 免得 = "so as not to / lest" — colloquial, spoken.
- Structure: precaution/action + 以免/免得 + undesirable outcome.
- The outcome after 以免/免得 is always negative (something to avoid).
- Common in advice, warnings, instructions, and preventive contexts.
- Cannot be used at the beginning of a sentence — the action must come first.
Chinese culture emphasizes prevention: 预防为主 (prevention first). Using 以免/免得 naturally aligns with this philosophy — stating what precautions to take before trouble arises.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
你最好提前出发，以免迟到。
You had better leave early, so as not to be late.
多穿点儿衣服，免得感冒。
Wear more clothes, so you don't catch a cold.
请把门关好，以免小偷进来。
Please close the door properly, to prevent thieves from getting in.
早点儿做完作业，免得晚上着急。
Finish your homework early, so you don't have to rush tonight.
请大家保持安静，以免影响他人休息。
Please keep quiet, so as not to disturb others' rest.
我把地址写下来了，免得到时候忘了。
I wrote down the address, so I don't forget it later.
合同要仔细看清楚，以免日后产生纠纷。
Read the contract carefully, to avoid disputes in the future.
Common Mistakes
以免/免得 cannot start a sentence. The precautionary action must come first, then 以免/免得 introduces what you are avoiding.
What follows 以免/免得 must be a negative outcome to avoid, not a positive result. "Being healthy" is positive — use 以免 with "getting sick" (negative).
Do not use 了 after 以免/免得 — the undesirable event has not happened yet. 以免 refers to preventing a future possibility.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Use 以免 in formal writing and 免得 in conversation — they mean the same thing.
Remember: action first, then 以免/免得 + the bad thing you want to prevent.
What follows 以免/免得 must be negative — something you do NOT want to happen.
Common in giving advice: verb + 以免/免得 + negative consequence.
Homework
Write six pieces of advice for a friend traveling abroad, using 以免 (3 formal) and 免得 (3 casual) to warn about things to avoid.
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