# HSK 4 Conjunctions: 不光, 不仅, 另外, 要是, 因此, 由于, 加上 | HSKReady Canonical: https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-4-conjunctions-5b5da1e637 Language: en Content ID: web-grammar-hsk-4-conjunctions-5b5da1e637 HSK levels: 4 Updated: 2026-10-23T04:56:22.922Z Scope: published website educational content; full vocabulary, question bank and mock exams remain in the app. Learn how to connect Chinese clauses and sentences using the HSK 4 conjunctions 不光, 不仅, 另外, 要是, 因此, 由于, and 加上 with clear structures and contrasts. Grammar [HSK 4 · Word classes › Conjunctions › Connecting clauses or sentences](https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-4#hsk-4-g021) # 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. 不光 / 不仅 first clause ， 还 / 而且 second clause Example sentence 这家饭店不光菜做得好吃，价格也很便宜。 zhè jiā fàndiàn bùguāng cài zuò de hǎochī , jiàgé yě hěn piányi . Not only is the food at this restaurant delicious, the prices are also very cheap. 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. 不光 / 不仅 first clause ， 还 / 而且 second clause Subject placement rule: When both clauses share the same subject, 不光 or 不仅 usually goes after the subject. When the two clauses have different subjects, 不光 or 不仅 goes before the first subject. 这家饭店不光菜做得好吃，价格也很便宜。 zhè jiā fàndiàn bùguāng cài zuò de hǎochī , jiàgé yě hěn piányi . Not only is the food at this restaurant delicious, the prices are also very cheap. 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。 jīngcháng yùndòng bùjǐn néng bāng wǒmen jiǎnféi , érqiě duì xīnlǐ jiànkāng hěn yǒu hǎochu . Exercising regularly can not only help us lose weight, but is also very good for mental health. 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. first point or reason ， 另外 / 加上 second clause 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。 jīntiān wǒmen yào tǎolùn xià zhōu de jìhuà . lìngwài , wǒ hái yào tíxǐng dàjiā zhǔnshí jiāo bàogào . Today we need to discuss next week's plan. In addition, I also want to remind everyone to hand in the report on time. 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。 wàimiàn zhèngzài xià dàyǔ , jiāshàng yǐjīng hěn wǎn le , wǒmen háishi míngtiān zài qù ba . It is raining heavily outside, and on top of that it is already very late, so let's go tomorrow instead. 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 condition clause （的话）， subject 就 result action or state 要是明天下雨的话，我们就把野餐改到下周末。 yàoshi míngtiān xià yǔ dehuà , wǒmen jiù bǎ yěcān gǎi dào xià zhōumò . If it rains tomorrow, we will move the picnic to next weekend. 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 cause clause ， 因此 / 所以 result clause 由于最近天气变化太大，因此很多学生都感冒了。 yóuyú zuìjìn tiānqì biànhuà tài dà , yīncǐ hěn duō xuésheng dōu gǎnmào le . Because the weather has changed so much recently, many students have caught a cold. 由于 introduces the formal cause clause first, and 因此 introduces the resulting clause. 因为……因此…… can express a cause-and-effect relationship, as can 由于……因此……. In concise writing, one connector may be enough. Do not decide grammaticality solely by splitting 因此 into the literal meanings of 因 and 此. ## 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。 Jīntiān suǒyǒu de hángbān dōu tuīchí le, zhè shì yóuyú jīchǎng fùjìn qǐ le dàwù. All flights today were delayed. This was because thick fog had formed near the airport. 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。 Yóuyú jīchǎng fùjìn qǐ le dàwù, jīntiān suǒyǒu de hángbān dōu tuīchí le. Because thick fog had formed near the airport, all flights today were delayed. 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. **Source**[hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com · PDF page 395](https://hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com/3.0/%E6%96%B0%E7%89%88HSK%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B21219.pdf#page=395) ## Continue in the app Full mock exams are available in HSKReady. [![Download on the App Store](https://hskready.app/download-on-app-store-black.svg)Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6791916440?l=en)[![Get it on Google Play](https://hskready.app/get-it-on-google-play.svg)Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.curiolab.hskready&hl=en) [HSKReady App](https://hskready.app/en/app)