～ときたら
～ときたら expresses strong feeling/complaint about the topic. Often negative. Very conversational despite being N1 grammar.
この問題ときたら、私には手に負えない。
When it comes to this problem, it's too much for me to handle.
N1 Grammar guide · group 10 of 29
JLPT N1 grammar, group 10
13 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this group～でありながら
～でありながら means 'despite being.../although...'. Formal. Used to contrast state/identity with unexpected action.
彼は病気でありながら、学校を休まなかった。
Despite being sick, he didn't miss school.
彼は医者でありながら、自分の無力さを痛感している。
Despite being a doctor, he painfully feels his own powerlessness.
～ことは～が
～ことは～が means 'it is true that...but...'. Concedes a point before stating a drawback or contrast.
この薬は効くことは効くが、副作用が心配だ。
It is true that this medicine works, but I'm worried about the side effects.
この薬は効くことは効くが、依存性がある。
It is true that this medicine works, but it is addictive.
～ない限り
～ない限り means 'unless.../as long as...not'. Used for conditions that must be met. More emphatic than なければ.
この薬は飲まない限り、症状は改善しない。
Unless you take this medicine, the symptoms won't improve.
～にあたっては
～にあたっては means 'at the time of/when...'. Used for occasions, events, or starting something important. は adds contrast/emphasis.
この計画は実行に移すにあたっては、慎重に検討すべきだ。
When it comes to putting this plan into action, we should consider it carefully.
～であるにしては
～であるにしては means 'for someone who is.../considering that...'. Used when reality doesn't match what's expected from the status.
彼は医者であるにしては、診断を間違えた。
For someone who is a doctor, he got the diagnosis wrong.
彼は医者であるにしては、患者に優しくない。
For someone who is a doctor, he is not kind to patients.
～そうで...ない
～そうで...ない means 'contrary to appearance/although it seems...'. Expresses that reality differs from expectation.
この仕事は簡単そうで、集中力が必要だ。
Although this job looks easy, concentration is required.
この仕事は簡単そうで、緊張感がある。
Although this job looks easy, there is a sense of tension.
～ば～ほど
～ば～ほど means 'the more...the more...'. Shows proportional increase. Classic N1 pattern for expressing correlation.
この問題は考えれば考えるほど深みにはまる。
The more you think about this problem, the more you get stuck in it.
～だけ～ても
～だけ～ても means 'no matter how much.../even if...'. Emphasizes that despite doing A to the fullest, B doesn't happen.
この薬は飲むだけ飲んでも、副作用が消えない。
No matter how much of this medicine you take, the side effects won't disappear.
～をよそに
～をよそに: 'indifferent to / ignoring others' concern.' N + をよそに.
周囲の期待をよそに、彼女はあっさりと引退を表明した。
Indifferent to expectations, she easily announced her retirement.
～が早いか
'No sooner had A happened than B immediately followed.' V辞書形+が早いか. Very literary/formal.
ベルが鳴るが早いか、子供たちは教室を飛び出した。
No sooner did the bell ring than the children dashed out of the classroom.
～ならいざ知らず
'If it were X that'd be one thing, but Y is another matter.' Contrasts an acceptable case with an unacceptable one. N/plain form+ならいざ知らず.
子供ならいざ知らず、大人がそんなことをするとは呆れる。
If it were a child that'd be one thing, but an adult doing that is astonishing.
～手前
'Because of one's position/face/pride.' The speaker cannot act freely because of obligations from having declared or done something. N/Vた+手前.
自分で言い出した手前、最後まで責任を持ってやり遂げます。
Because I was the one who brought it up, I will take responsibility and see it through.