Abstract: The thesis is a lexico-pragmatic discussion of various uses, mainly a critique of misuses, of the Chinese construction de shihou. It elaborates its semantic and structural features, and maintains that the unmarked use is the predicative expression plus de shihou. The paper classifies all uses of de shihou into three types: Type A being appropriate and effective use (right use), Type B being use (habitual use) that is not very appropriate or effective, and Type C being inappropriate or ineffective use (misuse). Exemplified by abundant examples from the mass media, the thesis holds that misuse of de shihou is imperiling the purity of the Chinese language, thus calling for nationwide caution.