Grammar
JLPT grammar patterns with formation, examples, and confusables.
〜ずに
Without doing 〜ずに
"Without doing ~" — the written and formal equivalent of 〜ないで.
〜と、〜
Conditional と (whenever / when)
Two uses: (1) natural/habitual consequence — "whenever A happens, B happens"; (2) discovery — "when I did A, (I found that) B". The result B cannot be a volitional, request, or intention.
〜ば
Conditional 〜ば (if / whenever)
A general conditional — "if A, then B". Formed from the hypothetical form (仮定形) of the verb/adjective. Used for general truths, hypotheticals, and proverb-like statements.
〜たら
Conditional 〜たら (if / when / after)
The most versatile conditional. "If/when A happens, B". Formed from the ta-form stem + ら. Used for one-time events, requests, intentions, and discoveries.
〜なら
Conditional 〜なら (if / given that)
A conditional based on the listener's stated or known information — "if it's the case that ~" / "given that ~". Often used to give advice or recommendations based on what someone just said.
〜ても / 〜でも
Even if 〜ても
"Even if A, B" / "no matter if A". Indicates that B happens regardless of A. The result is often unexpected.
〜場合は
In case 〜場合は
"In the event that ~ / in the case that ~". Used to discuss what to do in a particular (often undesirable) situation.
〜られる / 〜える
Potential form 可能形 (can do)
The potential form of a verb — "can do / be able to do". The spontaneous/conversational alternative to 〜ことができる.
〜られる / 〜れる (受身)
Passive form 受身形
The passive voice — "to be ~ed". The subject receives the action. Also used for the "suffering passive" (adversative) where something unfortunate happens to the subject.
〜させる / 〜せる
Causative form 使役
The causative — "to make/let someone do ~". You cause or permit another person to perform the action.
〜させられる / 〜せられる
Causative-passive 使役受身
"To be made to do ~". Combines causative + passive — you are forced/caused to do something, often against your will. Carries a nuance of suffering or inconvenience.
〜させてください
Please let me do 〜させてください
A polite request to be ALLOWED to do something — "please let me ~". Built from the causative form.
〜よう / 〜う
Volitional form 意向形
The volitional form — expresses "let's ~" or intention ("I intend to ~"). Polite form is 〜ましょう (already covered in N5); the plain form 〜よう/〜う is N4.
他動詞 / 自動詞
Transitive & intransitive 他動詞・自動詞
Transitive verbs (他動詞) take a direct object (を) — someone actively DOES the action. Intransitive verbs (自動詞) do NOT take an object — something happens on its own. Many Japanese verbs come in pairs.
〜てあげる / 〜てやる
Do a favor 〜てあげる / 〜てやる
I (or someone on my side) do a favor FOR someone else. The direction of action is OUTWARD from me. てやる is the casual/blunt form (toward equals/inferiors, or for plants/animals).
〜てくれる / 〜てくださる
Receive a favor 〜てくれる / 〜てくださる
Someone ELSE does a favor FOR ME (or my in-group). The direction of action is INWARD to me. Polite form: 〜てくださる (used for superiors).
〜てもらう / 〜ていただく
Get someone to do 〜てもらう / 〜ていただく
I GET/RECEIVE someone else to do something (for me). Focuses on the receiver (me) actively obtaining the favor. The doer is marked by に.
〜てほしい / 〜てほしいです
I want you to 〜てほしい
Expresses the speaker's desire for SOMEONE ELSE to do something — "I want you to ~". The doer is marked by に.
〜ていただけませんか / 〜てもらえませんか
Could you please 〜ていただけませんか
A very polite request — "could you please ~ for me?". Built from humble いただく / もらう potential negative. The most natural polite request form.
〜てみる
Try doing 〜てみる
To do something as a trial / to see what it's like — "try doing ~". Implies attempting something to experience or learn the result.
〜ておく
Do in advance 〜ておく
To do something in ADVANCE, in preparation for later, or to leave something in a certain state for the future. "Do ~ (so it's ready / taken care of)".
〜てしまう / 〜ちゃう
Finish completely / by accident 〜てしまう
Two senses: (1) completion — "finish doing ~ completely"; (2) regret/accident — "do ~ by accident (unfortunately)". The nuance is conveyed by context.
〜ていく
Continue / change from now 〜ていく
An action or state that continues, changes, or develops FROM NOW ON into the future — "will go on ~ing / will continue to ~". Also: do something and then go (away).
〜てくる
Has become / do and come back 〜てくる
Three uses: (1) a change that has occurred UP TO NOW — "has come to ~"; (2) do something and come back; (3) an action beginning/emerging now.
〜ていた / 〜ていました
Was doing 〜ていた (past progressive)
Past progressive — "was doing ~". Describes an action that was ongoing at a point in the past, or a past state.
〜るところ / 〜ているところ / 〜たところ
Just did / about to do 〜ところ
Expresses the TIMING of an action relative to now: (1) 〜るところ = "about to ~"; (2) 〜ているところ = "in the middle of ~ing"; (3) 〜たところ = "just finished ~ing".
〜たばかり
Just (recently) finished 〜たばかり
"Just finished doing ~ / only recently did ~". Indicates an action was completed a short time ago. Broader time window than 〜たところ.
〜出す / 〜始める / 〜続ける / 〜終わる
Begin / continue / finish doing 〜出す・始める・続ける・終わる
Auxiliary verbs attached to a verb stem to mark phase: 出す/始める = "begin to ~" (suddenly or on purpose); 続ける = "continue ~ing"; 終わる = "finish ~ing".
〜そうだ (伝聞)
I heard that 〜そうだ (hearsay)
Hearsay — "I heard that ~ / they say that ~". Reports information obtained from another source (news, rumor, someone else).
〜そうだ (様態) / 〜そうに / 〜そうな
Looks like 〜そうだ (conjecture)
Visual conjecture based on appearance — "looks like ~ / seems about to ~". Based on what you directly observe (not hearsay).