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Grammar point
B1CommonResultWrittenIntermediate

Vietnamese khiến Usage (to cause / to lead to)

khiến is commonly used to express 'to cause' or 'to lead to', a structure essential for learners to master.

Quick explanation

Quick explanation

khiến is commonly used to express 'to cause' or 'to lead to', a structure essential for learners to master.

English meanings

  • to cause
  • to lead to

Grammar pattern

S + khiến + object + result

Examples

1

Tin này khiến tôi rất vui.

This news makes me very happy.

2

Mưa lớn khiến đường ngập.

Heavy rain causes the roads to flood.

How to use it

khiến means 'to cause' or 'to lead to' and is often used in written or neutral explanations to indicate that a reason causes an object to have a certain result or state.

  • The pattern is: Cause + khiến + object + result.
  • The result is often an adjective, state, or event.
  • In spoken language, làm cho can be used for a more natural tone.

Compared with English

Compared with English

In English, 'make' or 'cause' can be used similarly. khiến is more formal and written compared to làm cho, often appearing in news, articles, or explanations.

Common mistakes

Tin này khiến rất vui tôi.

Tin này khiến tôi rất vui.

After khiến, the affected object comes first, then the result state.

Tôi khiến tin này vui.

Tin này khiến tôi vui.

The cause must be placed before khiến.

Commonly confused grammar

Practice

Multiple choice

What is the basic order of khiến?

Show answer
  • Cause + khiến + object + result
  • Object + khiến + cause + result
  • Result + khiến + cause

Answer: Cause + khiến + object + result

Explanation: The cause comes before khiến.

Fill in the blank

Fill in the blank: Tin này ____ tôi rất vui.

Show answer

Answer: Tin này khiến tôi rất vui.

Explanation: Pattern: Cause + khiến + object + result.

English to Vietnamese

Translate "This news makes me very happy." into Vietnamese.

Show answer

Answer: Tin này khiến tôi rất vui.

Explanation: Use khiến in the same structure as the example.

True or false

Is this sentence correct? Tin này khiến rất vui tôi.

Show answer

Answer: False

Explanation: After khiến, the affected object must come before the result.

Correction

Correct this sentence: Mưa lớn khiến ngập đường.

Show answer

Answer: Mưa lớn khiến đường ngập.

Explanation: đường is the affected object; ngập is the result state.

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