偏正关系句群
a sentence group with a main part and supporting parts
Structure
偏：让步／原因／条件 。 可是／所以／正因为如此／只有这样 ， 正：主要意思 。
What it means
A group of sentences where one carries the writer’s main point (正) and the others prepare, explain or limit it (偏) as a concession, a cause or a condition.
How it is built
Supporting sentence。 + link word + ， + main point。 The link opens the new sentence: 机器绣又快又便宜。可是，机器绣不出猫眼里的那一点光。 (Machine embroidery is fast and cheap. But it can’t stitch that glint of light.)
When to use it
Same relations as 虽然…但是, 因为…所以, 如果…就, but spread over full sentences, giving written argument weight. Links: 可是，所以，正因为如此，只有这样…才，否则. When reading, find the 正 part first: it usually follows 可是 or 所以.
Watch out
A 虽然 clause can’t end in a full stop. ✗ 虽然机器绣很快。可是…… ✓ 虽然机器绣很快，可是…… or drop 虽然. Don’t link with 而且 or 于是 when the meaning is a turn.
Examples
机器绣又快又便宜。可是，机器绣不出猫眼里的那一点光。所以，好的苏绣至今仍靠一双手。
Machine embroidery is fast and cheap. But no machine can stitch that glint of light in a cat’s eye. And so fine Suzhou embroidery still depends on a pair of hands.
一幅大作品往往要绣两三年，每一针都得亲手完成。正因为如此，手工苏绣的价格一直不低。
A large piece often takes two or three years, and every stitch has to be made by hand. That is exactly why hand-made Suzhou embroidery has never been cheap.
绣娘要先在纸上画好底稿，定下每一处用什么颜色。只有这样，绣的时候才不会出错。
An embroiderer first draws the design on paper and decides the colour of every part. Only then can she stitch without making mistakes.
Learn this in Lesson 237 · HSK 9+: 苏绣 (Suzhou embroidery)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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