Grammar · Chapter 38
以免 and 免得: so as not to…
action + 以免 / 免得 + what you want to avoid
免得 and 以免 follow the action and name what you want to avoid: 出发前请确认路线，以免在山里迷路. One meaning — 'so as not to'; 免得 is spoken, 以免 is for letters and instructions. After them comes only the unwanted thing: 免得吵醒孩子, not 免得孩子睡得安稳.
Examples
- 出发前请确认路线，以免在山里迷路。 Chūfā qián qǐng quèrèn lùxiàn, yǐmiǎn zài shān lǐ mílù. Please confirm the route before setting off so as not to get lost in the mountains.
- 她特意把声音压低，免得吵醒正在睡觉的孩子。 Tā tèyì bǎ shēngyīn yā dī, miǎnde chǎo xǐng zhèngzài shuìjiào de háizi. She deliberately lowered her voice so as not to wake the sleeping child.
- 写下来，以免忘了。 Xiě xiàlái, yǐmiǎn wàng le. Write it down so you don't forget.