ConjunctionsHSK 4

Using 来 to connect two verb phrases

来 connects two verb phrases: the first expresses the method or means, and the second is the purpose or result. It is often used after words like 用 or 通过, meaning 'to use X to do Y'. Avoid using 来 to connect just any two actions; it specifically links method to purpose.

Structure

通过 / 用 + Method + 来 + Verb Phrase

Examples

用这种方法来赚钱，真丢人。
Yòng zhè zhǒng fāngfǎ lái zhuànqián, zhēn diūrén.
It's shameful to earn money in this way.
用这个APP来学汉字更容易。
Yòng zhège APP lái xué Hànzì gèng róngyì.
It's easier to use this app to study Chinese characters.
你可以通过微信来关注我们。
Nǐ kěyǐ tōngguò Wēixìn lái guānzhù wǒmen.
You can follow us on WeChat.
很多人都是通过这个网站来找工作的。
Hěn duō rén dōu shì tōngguò zhège wǎngzhàn lái zhǎo gōngzuò de.
A lot of people look for a job through this website.
商店经常通过打折来吸引顾客。
Shāngdiàn jīngcháng tōngguò dǎzhé lái xīyǐn gùkè.
Shops often use discounts to attract customers.

Words that use this

来láito come; (used as a substitute for a more specific verb); hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回来); ever since (as in 自古以来); for the past (amount of time); (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 来世); (between two verbs) in order to; (after a round number) approximately; (used after 得 to indicate possibility, as in 谈得来, or after 不 to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不来)