Grammar

JLPT grammar patterns with formation, examples, and confusables.

As long as 〜限り(は)

"As long as ~", "as far as ~" — the condition under which the statement holds.

N2

Unless / so long as not 〜ない限り

"Unless ~", "so long as ~ does not happen".

N2

If only 〜さえ〜ば

"If only ~", "as long as just ~" — one sufficient condition.

N2

Not limited to 〜に限らず

"Not just ~", "not limited to ~".

N2

Of all times 〜に限って

"Of all times / of all people ~"; also "~ alone would never".

N2

Nothing beats 〜に限る

"Nothing beats ~", "~ is the best thing".

N2

Not only 〜ばかりか / 〜ばかりでなく

"Not only ~, but also …".

N2

Not merely 〜のみならず

"Not merely ~, but also …" — the formal written "not only".

N2

To say nothing of 〜はもちろん / 〜はもとより

"~ goes without saying, and also …".

N2

In addition to 〜に加えて

"In addition to ~", "on top of ~".

N2

Based on 〜に基づいて

"Based on ~", "in accordance with ~".

N2

Drawing on 〜をもとに(して)

"Using ~ as the material", "based loosely on ~".

N2

According to 〜に応じて

"According to ~", "in response to ~" — varying with the thing named.

N2

Depends on 〜次第だ / 〜次第で

"It depends entirely on ~".

N2

Over / concerning 〜をめぐって

"Over ~", "concerning ~" — the point people are arguing about.

N2

When it comes to 〜にかけては

"When it comes to ~ (nobody beats them)".

N2

Spanning 〜にわたって

"Over / across ~" — a stretch of time, space or number.

N2

Through / throughout 〜を通じて / 〜を通して

"Through ~" (a medium); "throughout ~" (a whole span).

N2

Centring on 〜を中心に(して)

"Centring on ~", "with ~ at the core".

N2

From the standpoint of 〜から見ると / 〜からすると

"Seen from ~", "judging from ~".

N2

Have no choice but 〜ざるを得ない

"Have no choice but to ~", "cannot help but ~".

N2

Cannot possibly 〜わけにはいかない

"I cannot ~ (for social or moral reasons)"; with a ない form, "I have to ~".

N2

Nothing for it but 〜よりほかない

"There is nothing for it but to ~".

N2

Unbearably 〜てたまらない

"Unbearably ~", "~ beyond endurance".

N2

Cannot help feeling 〜てならない

"I cannot help feeling ~", "~ deeply".

N2

Terribly 〜てしかたがない / 〜てしょうがない

"Terribly ~", "I cannot help ~" — the everyday version.

N2

Cannot help but 〜ずにはいられない

"Cannot help but ~", "cannot stop oneself from ~".

N2

Might well 〜かねない

"Might well ~", "could easily end up ~" — of a feared outcome.

N2

Unable to 〜かねる

"Cannot ~", "am not in a position to ~" — a polite refusal.

N2

Merely 〜に過ぎない

"Merely ~", "no more than ~".

N2