N1 Grammar guide · group 7 of 29
16 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this groupAならまだしもB expresses 'B would be understandable if it were A, but...'. Used to emphasize that B is worse/unacceptable compared to A.
社長ならまだしも、社員全員が反対している。
If it were just the president, that would be one thing, but all employees are against it.
～ことはあるが means 'it is true that...but...'. Concedes a point before stating a drawback. Formal.
この薬は効果があることはあるが、副作用も強い。
It is true that this medicine is effective, but the side effects are also strong.
～でありながら means 'despite being.../although...'. Formal. Used to contrast status/identity with unexpected behavior.
彼は学者でありながら、常識がない。
Despite being a scholar, he has no common sense.
彼は医者でありながら、患者を救えなかった。
Despite being a doctor, he couldn't save the patient.
彼は医者でありながら、患者の気持ちが分からない。
Despite being a doctor, he doesn't understand patients' feelings.
～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. Expresses surprise/disappointment.
彼は社長であるにしては、会社のことは何も知らない。
For someone who is the president, he knows nothing about the company.
～ことは～が means 'it is true that...but...'. Concedes a point before stating a drawback or contrast. Formal pattern.
この薬は効くことは効くが、苦い。
It is true that this medicine works, but it is bitter.
～でありながらも is an emphatic form of でありながら. Means 'even though.../despite being...'. も adds emphasis to the contrast. Shows humility despite status.
彼は社長でありながらも、現場で汗を流す。
Even though he is president, he sweats it out on site.
～に足る means 'to be worth.../to be sufficient for...'. Very formal/literary. Often with 読むに足る、信じるに足る.
この本は読むに足る価値がある傑作だ。
This is a masterpiece worth reading.
～にあたっては means 'at the time of/when...'. Used for occasions, events, or starting something important. は adds contrast/emphasis.
プロジェクトの開始にあたっては、綿密な計画を立てた。
When it comes to starting the project, we made a detailed plan.
～だからといって means 'just because...doesn't mean...'. Used to deny that A necessarily leads to B.
彼は金持ちだからといって、人格者だとは言い切れない。
Just because he is rich, you can't definitively say he is a person of character.
～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、気を抜くと失敗する。
Although this job looks easy, if you let your guard down you will fail.
～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、病状は改善しない。
Unless you take this medicine, the condition won't improve.
～をよそに: 'indifferent to / ignoring others' concern.' N + をよそに.
部下の懸念をよそに、部長は強引に決定を下した。
Ignoring his subordinates' concerns, the manager made the decision forcibly.
'No sooner had A happened than B immediately followed.' V辞書形+が早いか. Very literary/formal.
彼は家に帰るが早いか、ソファに倒れ込んだ。
No sooner had he arrived home than he collapsed onto the sofa.
'Extremely / in the extreme.' Na-adj+極まりない or Na-adj+極まる. Very formal, often negative nuance.
人の話を聞かない態度は不遜極まりない。
An attitude of not listening to others is extremely arrogant.
'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.
みんなの前で宣言した手前、途中でやめるわけにはいかない。
Because I declared it in front of everyone, I cannot stop halfway.
'Appropriate / proper / as it should be.' Used to describe what is proper or fitting given the situation. しかるべき+N, or しかるべきだ.
この状況では、管理者がしかるべき判断を下すことが求められる。
In this situation, the administrator is required to make the appropriate judgment.