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Connecting Clauses and Sentences in HSK 4: 不光, 不仅, 另外, 要是, 因此, 由于, and 加上
At the intermediate level, natural Chinese requires connecting ideas smoothly across clauses and full sentences. This lesson explains seven essential HSK 4 conjunctions covering progression, supplementary points, conditions, and cause-and-effect.
这家饭店不光菜做得好吃，价格也很便宜。
不光 introduces the first quality in a casual register, and 也 in the second clause completes the progressive structure.
Read the full explanation and examples
How Clause and Sentence Connectors Work in HSK 4
In the supplied HSK 4 grammar outline, the conjunctions 不光, 不仅, 另外, 要是, 因此, 由于 (listed as sense 2, the conjunction), and 加上 are grouped under words that link clauses or whole sentences. Instead of stringing short, disconnected statements together, speakers use these connectors to signal how two ideas relate before the listener even finishes hearing the sentence.
- Progressive connectors (不光, 不仅) mean 'not only' and set up a stronger or additional second clause.
- Additive connectors (另外, 加上) introduce an extra point or a compounding factor.
- Conditional connectors (要是) introduce an 'if' clause in everyday speech.
- Causal connectors (由于, 因此) mark formal reasons ('because/due to') and results ('therefore').
Progressive Addition: 不光 and 不仅
不光 and 不仅 mean “not only” and normally invite an additional point, stated or understood from context. Common partners include 还, 也 and 而且, but a particular partner is not compulsory in every sentence. 不光 is conversational; 不仅 also suits written prose.
这家饭店不光菜做得好吃，价格也很便宜。
不光 introduces the first quality in a casual register, and 也 in the second clause completes the progressive structure.
经常运动不仅能帮我们减肥，而且对心理健康很有好处。
不仅 pairs with 而且 to link two verb phrases sharing the topic 'exercising regularly'.
Adding Points vs. Compounding Reasons: 另外 and 加上
Learners often translate both 另外 and 加上 as 'in addition' or 'besides', but they connect clauses in different ways. As a conjunction, 另外 typically starts a new clause or a new sentence to add a separate point, reminder, or topic, often paired with 还 or 也 in the predicate. By contrast, 加上 (often expanded as 再加上) links a second contributing cause to a primary reason that was just stated, leading toward a conclusion or result.
今天我们要讨论下周的计划。另外，我还要提醒大家准时交报告。
另外 connects a second independent sentence to add a separate item to the agenda.
外面正在下大雨，加上已经很晚了，我们还是明天再去吧。
加上 stacks a second unfavourable condition onto the first reason to justify the final suggestion.
Spoken Conditionals: 要是
要是 introduces a conversational condition, much like 如果. 的话 can close the condition clause but is optional. The result can include 就, normally after an explicit subject: 要是明天下雨，我们就改天去. 就 is common, not compulsory in every conditional sentence.
要是明天下雨的话，我们就把野餐改到下周末。
要是 pairs with optional 的话 in the condition clause, and 就 follows the subject 我们 in the result clause.
Formal Cause and Effect: 由于 and 因此
The outline distinguishes conjunction 由于 introducing a cause clause from its prepositional use with a noun phrase. 因此 introduces a result. Both are common in formal prose and news. You can use a cause marker, a result marker, or a suitable pair when the relationship is clear.
由于最近天气变化太大，因此很多学生都感冒了。
由于 introduces the formal cause clause first, and 因此 introduces the resulting clause.
Two Clear Ways to Present the Cause
A clear formal pattern puts 由于 + cause before the result. A result-first explanation can instead use 这是由于 + cause. Compare the two flight examples: they keep the same facts while changing what the reader learns first. Avoid treating every explanation after a result as a grammar error.
今天所有的航班都推迟了，这是由于机场附近起了大雾。
A correct result-first explanation: 这是由于 introduces the reason for the delay. Compare the following cause-first version; the factual relationship stays the same.
由于机场附近起了大雾，今天所有的航班都推迟了。
A cause-first version using 由于. It expresses the same cause-and-effect relationship as the preceding 这是由于 explanation, with a different order of presentation.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the syllabus list '由于2' with a number?
In the HSK grammar outline, numbers distinguish different parts of speech or senses for the same word. 由于1 is a preposition meaning 'due to' before a noun phrase, while 由于2 is the conjunction taught here that connects full clauses.
Can I always swap 另外 and 加上 when connecting clauses?
No. Use 另外 when shifting to an additional topic, reminder, or separate statement. Use 加上 when combining a second reason or factor with an existing situation to explain an outcome.
Is there a grammatical difference between 要是 and 如果?
要是 and 如果 both introduce conditions and can take optional 的话. 就 is a common result-clause partner but is not obligatory in every sentence; when used in the ordinary pattern here, it follows the stated subject. 要是 is generally more conversational.
