Placement in sentences

Sentence-Initial: Framing, Headline Tone

Use at the start to set the theme or stance (formal/concise).

• Pattern: Chengyu，+ comment/claim
  Example: 未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu)，我们本周完成备份计划。
  Meaning: “Prepared in advance, we’ll finish the backup plan this week.”
• Pattern: Chengyu：+ action/definition (colon, slide/heading style)
  Example: 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì)：结论以数据为准。
• Use when you need framing (policy, memos, topic sentences).

Sentence-Medial: Smooth, Neutral Information Flow

Place after the subject or before the main verb to describe manner or state.

• Pattern: Subject + 很/相当 + [stative chengyu]
  Example: 流程很有条不紊 (yǒu tiáo bù wěn)。
• Pattern: Subject + [chengyu(+地)] + Verb (adverbial manner)
  Example: 团队稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ) 推进。
• This is the most common placement in everyday writing and speech.

Sentence-Final: Punchline, Emphasis, Closure

End with a chengyu to deliver the key evaluation/moral.

• Pattern: …，chengyu。
  Example: 方案简洁、易学，用户反馈一清二楚 (yì qīng èr chǔ)。
• Pattern: …，可谓 + chengyu。 (metacomment)
  Example: 版本上线顺利，可谓 水到渠成 (shuǐ dào qú chéng)。
• Good for conclusion sentences and reviews.

Negation & Degree: Fine-Tuning Meaning

• Degree adverbs (soften/strengthen): 很/相当/极其 + 有条不紊、清晰、稳妥
  Example: 排练相当有条不紊。
• Negation: 不/并不 + chengyu
  Example: 成功并非水到渠成 (shuǐ dào qú chéng)，背后是大量准备。
• Tip: Many chengyu are stative; degree/negation sits before them.

With 的 / 地 / 得: Modifier vs. Manner vs. Complement

• 的 (de) → modifies a noun
  Example: 一丝不苟的 (yì sī bù gǒu de) 检查。
• 地 (de) → modifies a verb (manner)
  Example: 泰然自若地 (tài rán zì ruò de) 回答。
• 得 (de) → follows a verb to evaluate degree
  Example: 演奏得行云流水 (xíng yún liú shuǐ)。

Parallelism & Contrast: Rhythmic Placement

Balance two clauses with matched positions for cadence.

• Pattern: [Clause A with chengyu]，[Clause B with chengyu]
  Example: 循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn) 打基础，精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng) 提品质。
• Contrast pattern: A（chengyu），而 B（chengyu）
  Example: 居安思危，而非得过且过 (dé guò qiě guò)。

Questions, Commands, and Softeners

• Yes–no question: 押后成语或加语气词
  Example: 计划一清二楚了吗？
• Command/advice: 切题、简短，成语放前或后都行
  Example: 三思而行 (sān sī ér xíng)，再提交。 / 提交前三思而行。
• Softeners (polite critique): 似乎/可能/有点 + chengyu
  Example: 这个排版有点 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú)。

Placement by Idiom Type (quick chooser)

• Stative quality (clarity/order/calm): best predicate/medial/final
  Examples: 一清二楚、有条不紊、泰然自若。
• Action-like (method/procedure): best adverbial/medial
  Examples: 稳扎稳打、再接再厉、同舟共济。
• Aphoristic (principle/moral): best initial/heading/subject
  Examples: 欲速则不达、水到渠成、实事求是。

Mini Templates (copy, then swap the idiom)

• Initial (framing): [chengyu]，+ action. → 未雨绸缪，下周演练。
• Medial (manner/state): Subject + [chengyu] + Verb/Be. → 团队稳扎稳打推进。
• Final (punch): …，[chengyu]。 → 数据与口碑一致，名副其实 (míng fù qí shí)。
• Modifier: [chengyu + 的] + noun → 去繁就简的 (qù fán jiù jiǎn de) 设计。

Quick Practice (choose best placement)

1. You want to frame the principle at the start → sentence-initial 实事求是。
2. You need a manner before the main verb → medial 稳扎稳打。
3. You want a concluding punch → sentence-final 水到渠成。
4. You modify a noun → 一丝不苟的 检查。
5. You soften criticism in chat → “这版有点 画蛇添足。”

Common Pitfalls (and fixes)

• Stacking: avoid multiple idioms in one clause; pick one and add facts.
• Misplaced 的/地/得: match noun vs. verb vs. degree.
• Verb-forcing: many chengyu aren’t verbs; add a main verb (推进/完成/优化).
• Over-formality in casual chat: swap lofty idioms for simpler ones (一清二楚、得心应手).

Takeaway: Think initial = frame, medial = manner/state, final = emphasis. Add 的/地/得 correctly, keep one idiom per clause, and align the idiom’s semantics with the slot for clear, natural sentences.