So As to Avoid: ……以免/免得……
……，以免/免得……
Use 以免 and 免得 to express "so as to avoid" or "lest" in both formal and colloquial Chinese
The first clause describes an action, precaution, or piece of advice. 以免 or 免得 then introduces the undesirable outcome that this action is meant to prevent. 以免 is more formal; 免得 is more colloquial.
以免 is used in formal writing, news, and official communications. 免得 is its colloquial equivalent and appears freely in everyday conversation. Both follow the main clause and precede the negative outcome. Neither requires 不 or 没 — the avoidance meaning is built into 以免/免得 themselves.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: So As to Avoid: ……以免/免得…… (……，以免/免得……)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the ……，以免/免得…… pattern
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Understanding ……，以免/免得……
Every language needs efficient ways to say "do X so that Y doesn't happen," and Chinese offers an elegant pair: 以免 for formal contexts and 免得 for everyday speech. These connectors are remarkably useful because they compress a complex purpose-avoidance relationship into just two characters. When a doctor says 多喝水，以免脱水 (drink more water, so as to avoid dehydration), the 以免 is crisp, authoritative, and unambiguous. When a friend says 你把这个写下来，免得以后忘记 (write this down so you don't forget later), the 免得 is warm, practical, and natural. Learning to switch between these two registers — formal 以免 and colloquial 免得 — is an important step toward flexible, context-appropriate Chinese.
Key Points
- 以免 means "so as to avoid / lest" and is used in formal writing and speech.
- 免得 has the same meaning but is colloquial and used in everyday conversation.
- Both follow the main action clause and introduce the undesirable outcome to be avoided.
- Do not add 不 or 没 after 以免/免得 — the avoidance meaning is already built in.
- Common sentence starters before 以免/免得 include imperative advice, precautionary measures, and explanations of why something was done.
- In news and official documents, 以免 is strongly preferred; 免得 would sound too casual.
Chinese communication culture places high value on preventive thinking (防患于未然). Using 以免/免得 to explain precautions reflects this cultural emphasis on foresight and careful planning. Parents, teachers, and leaders frequently use these constructions when giving guidance.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
出门在外看好你的东西，以免丢失。
When you're out, keep an eye on your belongings so as to avoid losing them.
你把这个写下来，免得以后忘记。
Write this down so you don't forget later.
Colloquial register
请提前做好准备，以免耽误行程。
Please prepare in advance so as to avoid delaying your trip.
Formal advisory tone
别告诉他了，免得他担心。
Don't tell him, so he won't worry.
我们应当加强安全检查，以免发生事故。
We should strengthen safety inspections to prevent accidents.
你多带件外套，免得晚上冷。
Bring an extra jacket so you won't be cold at night.
请仔细核对信息，以免出现错误。
Please carefully verify the information to avoid errors.
早点儿出发吧，免得路上堵车。
Let's leave early so we don't get stuck in traffic.
Common Mistakes
Do not add 不 after 免得/以免 — the avoidance meaning is already built into these words. Adding 不 creates a double negative that reverses the intended meaning.
以免/免得 should follow the main action clause, not precede it. The preventive action comes first, then the outcome to be avoided.
Do not add 不要 after 以免 — this is redundant. 以免 already means "so as to avoid."
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Use 以免 in writing, formal emails, news, and official contexts; use 免得 when speaking casually with friends and family.
Never add 不, 没, or 不要 after 以免/免得 — the avoidance is already built into the meaning.
The clause before 以免/免得 is often imperative or advisory in tone — it tells someone what to do.
Practice pairs: write the same advice sentence twice — once with 以免 (formal) and once with 免得 (casual) — to build register flexibility.
Homework
Write five pieces of practical advice: three using 以免 (imagine you are writing a travel safety guide) and two using 免得 (imagine you are advising a close friend). Make sure the preventive action comes before the avoidance clause.