Grammar

JLPT grammar patterns with formation, examples, and confusables.

Because of (blame) 〜せいで

Assigns blame for a bad outcome — "because of ~", "thanks to ~ (sarcastic)".

N3

Thanks to 〜おかげで

Credits a good outcome — "thanks to ~", "owing to ~".

N3

By means of / depending on 〜によって

Four related jobs: the means, the cause, the agent of a passive, or "it varies depending on ~".

N3

That is why 〜わけだ

Draws a conclusion that follows naturally — "so that's why ~", "no wonder ~", "it works out that ~".

N3

Because (excuse) 〜ものだから

Offers a reason as an excuse or apology — "it's just that ~", "because ~, you see".

N3

It is not that 〜わけではない

A partial denial — "it is not that ~", "that does not mean ~". Softens rather than rejects outright.

N3

There is no way 〜わけがない

A flat denial of possibility — "there is no way ~", "it is impossible that ~".

N3

Must be 〜に違いない

A confident inference — "must be ~", "I am sure ~".

N3

Ought to 〜べきだ

A moral or social obligation — "ought to ~", "should ~". Stronger and more principled than 〜たほうがいい.

N3

Bound to be 〜に決まっている

Says an outcome is obvious — "of course ~", "it is bound to be ~".

N3

The moment 〜たとたん

"The moment ~", "just as ~" — the second event follows instantly and unexpectedly.

N3

Right in the middle of 〜最中に

"Right in the middle of ~" — something interrupts an activity at its height.

N3

As soon as 〜次第

"As soon as ~", "the moment ~ is done". Formal, and always about the future.

N3

Ever since 〜以来

"Ever since ~" — a state that has held continuously from a past point until now.

N3

Every time 〜たびに

"Every time ~", "whenever ~" — the second thing happens on each occasion of the first.

N3

To the extent 〜ほど

Gives a yardstick for how much — "so ~ that …", "to the extent of ~".

N3

Even 〜さえ

Picks an extreme example — "even ~". If this much is true, the rest follows.

N3

Precisely 〜こそ

Singles something out for emphasis — "this is the one that ~", "precisely ~".

N3

Do nothing but 〜てばかりいる

Criticises a repeated action — "does nothing but ~", "is always ~ing".

N3

Things like 〜とか〜とか

Lists a few examples out of many — "things like ~ and ~".

N3

Toward / in contrast to 〜に対して

Two jobs: the target an attitude is directed at — "toward ~" — and a contrast — "whereas ~".

N3

About / concerning 〜について

Names the subject matter — "about ~", "concerning ~".

N3

In / at 〜において

The formal written equivalent of で — "in ~", "at ~", "in the field of ~".

N3

For / to 〜にとって

Gives the standpoint a judgement is made from — "for ~", "from ~'s point of view".

N3

As / in the role of 〜として

Names a capacity or role — "as ~", "in the capacity of ~".

N3

Even though (reproach) 〜くせに

"Even though ~", "and yet ~" — with contempt, blame or resentment.

N3

Although (formal) 〜ながらも

"Although ~", "while ~" — a written contrast between two facts held at once.

N3

In spite of 〜にもかかわらず

"In spite of ~", "despite ~" — a strong, formal contrast.

N3

Unless 〜ないことには

"Unless ~", "without first ~ing" — nothing can proceed until this happens.

N3

Considering 〜わりに

"Considering ~", "for a ~" — the result is out of proportion with what you would expect.

N3