Syntactic roles of chengyu

Predicate (acts like the main verb phrase)

Use a chengyu as the core state/action of the clause.

• Frame: Subject + chengyu.
  例：计划一清二楚 (yì qīng èr chǔ) — “The plan is crystal clear.”
• Frame: Subject + 很/十分 + chengyu (degree adverb).
  例：流程十分有条不紊 (yǒu tiáo bù wěn) — “The process is very orderly.”
• Tip: Predicative use is common with stative chengyu (order, clarity, calm, etc.).

Adverbial (modifies how an action happens)

Place the chengyu before the main verb to show manner.

• Frame: Subject + [chengyu + 地 de] + Verb.
  例：她泰然自若地 (tài rán zì ruò de) 作答 — “She answered calmly.”
• Frame: Subject + [chengyu] + Verb (no 地 in many fixed expressions).
  例：团队稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ) 推进 — “The team advanced steadily.”
• Tip: If the chengyu ends with …有序/…自若, adding 地 is natural; many action-like idioms (e.g., 稳扎稳打) work without 地.

Attributive Modifier (adjective before a noun)

Use 的 de to turn a chengyu into a noun modifier.

• Frame: [chengyu + 的] + Noun.
  例：行云流水的 (xíng yún liú shuǐ de) 文风 — “a flowing writing style.”
  例：一丝不苟的 (yì sī bù gǒu de) 检查 — “a meticulous inspection.”
• Tip: Many chengyu can modify nouns with 的; if the idiom is inherently nominal (rare), 的 may be optional.

Subject (topic of the sentence)

Chengyu can be the subject to comment on a general truth or stance.

• Frame: Chengyu + 是/并非/不是 + …
  例：欲速则不达 (yù sù zé bù dá) 不是 借口，而是提醒 — “More haste, less speed isn’t an excuse; it’s a warning.”
• Frame: Chengyu + 需要/要求 + …
  例：同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì) 需要配合 — “Pulling together requires coordination.”

Object / Complement (after verbs like 叫、称为、当作)

• Frame: 把/将 + Noun + 称为 + chengyu.
  例：大家称为 水到渠成 (shuǐ dào qú chéng) 的结果 — “Everyone calls it a natural result.”
• Frame: 把 + 情况 + 说成 + chengyu (beware tone).
  例：别说成 指鹿为马 (zhǐ lù wéi mǎ) — “Don’t distort facts.”

Parallelism in Compound Sentences (balanced pairs)

Chengyu pair well in 对仗 (balanced) structures for rhythm.

• Frame: Clause A（chengyu）+，Clause B（chengyu）.
  例：循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn) 打基础，精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng) 提品质。
  例：同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì) 迎挑战，稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ) 保交付。
• Tip: Limit to two per sentence to avoid stacking.

Quoted/Framed Proverb-Like Use (as a labeled principle)

Use punctuation or markers to present a chengyu as a principle.

• Frame: “Chengyu”：Explanation/Action.
  例：“未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu)”：先做备份与演练。
• Tip: Great for slide headings or memos.

Degree, Negation, Aspect (grammar add-ons)

• Degree adverbs: 很/相当/极其 + 有条不紊/清晰/稳妥.
  例：流程相当有条不紊 (yǒu tiáo bù wěn)。
• Negation: 不/并不 + chengyu.
  例：结果并不水到渠成 (shuǐ dào qú chéng)（仍需努力）。
• With 了/过: Most chengyu are set phrases; attach aspect to the main verb, not the idiom itself.
  例：团队稳扎稳打 地 推进了 两个月。

Register & Selection (what “fits” grammatically)

• Stative idioms (qualities/states) fit predicate/attributive roles well: 有条不紊、一清二楚、泰然自若.
• Action-like idioms fit adverbial roles: 稳扎稳打、再接再厉、同舟共济.
• Aphoristic idioms fit subject/heading roles: 欲速则不达、水到渠成、言行一致.

Quick Sentence Frames (copy, then swap idioms)

1. Predicate: Noun + 很 + [stative chengyu] → 方案很一清二楚 (yì qīng èr chǔ)。
2. Adverbial: [chengyu(+地)] + Verb → 稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ) 推进。
3. Attributive: [chengyu + 的] + Noun → 去繁就简的 (qù fán jiù jiǎn de) 设计。
4. Subject: Chengyu + 是/不是 + … → 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì) 是底线。
5. Parallel: A（chengyu），B（chengyu） → 居安思危，未雨绸缪。

Mini Practice (choose the best role)

• “Use as adverbial (manner of action)” → 稳扎稳打 (advance steadily)。
• “Use as predicate (state of clarity)” → 一清二楚。
• “Use as modifier (before a noun)” → 有条不紊的 流程。
• “Use as subject to state a principle” → 欲速则不达 不是空话。
• “Use in parallel for rhythm” → 同舟共济，精益求精。

Common Pitfalls (and fixes)

• Forcing idioms as verbs: many are stative; add a main verb (“推进、完成、优化”).
• Missing 的/地: when modifying a noun, use 的; when modifying a verb, 地 is often natural (though many fixed idioms omit it).
• Stacking: one idiom per clause keeps the sentence clear.

Takeaway: Think in roles: predicate (state), adverbial (manner), attributive (modifier), subject/object (label/principle), and parallel (rhythm). Pick a chengyu whose semantics fit the slot, add 的/地 where needed, and anchor everything with a concrete verb or noun.