Sentence patternsHSK 6
Using 以... 为...
This pattern expresses "taking A as B," common in formal speech and writing. Place the thing being taken (A) after 以, then 为, then what it is taken as (B). Don't confuse it with simpler comparison structures using 比.
Structure
以 + A + 为 + B
Examples
- 我们以他为榜样。Wǒ men yǐ tā wèi bǎng yàng.We take him as a model.
- 他以帮助别人为快乐。Tā yǐ bāng zhù bié rén wèi kuài lè.He finds happiness in helping others.
- 我们应该以诚信为本。Wǒ men yīng gāi yǐ chéng xìn wéi běn.We should take honesty as the foundation.
- 这本书以历史事件为背景。Zhè běn shū yǐ lì shǐ shì jiàn wèi bèi jǐng.This book takes historical events as its background.
- 大家以他为骄傲。Dà jiā yǐ tā wèi jiāo ào.Everyone is proud of him.