～あげく
「あげく」 shows the final result after a long, troublesome process. It often carries a negative or disappointing nuance.
さんざん迷ったあげく、結局買わなかった。
After agonizing … I ended up not buying it after all.
N2 Grammar guide · group 1 of 20
JLPT N2 grammar, group 1
21 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this group～あるいは～
「あるいは」 formally connects two equal alternatives, so it fits the email/phone choice in this sentence.
ご連絡は、メールでお願いします。あるいはお急ぎの場合は電話でもかまいません。
Please contact us by email. Alternatively, if it is urgent, phone is also fine.
～ばかりか
「ばかりか」 adds a second point beyond the first one: not only A, but also B. The second clause usually feels like an extra or stronger point.
彼は英語ばかりか、フランス語も話せる。
He can speak … English, but also French.
～だけあって
「だけあって」 connects a reason with an expected impressive result: because A is true, B makes sense.
10年日本に住んでいただけあって、彼女の日本語は上手だ。
Having lived in Japan for 10 years, … her Japanese is good.
～だけに
「だけに」 emphasizes that the reason in the first clause makes the feeling or result in the second clause stronger.
期待されていただけに、失敗が残念だ。
… so much was expected of him, the failure is disappointing.
～どころではない
「どころ」 says the situation is too serious or busy for something. The speaker cannot even think about that action now.
今は旅行どころではない。
Now is … a vacation.
～どころか
「どころか」 rejects the first level and says the reality is even stronger or more extreme. It means “far from A, actually B.”
彼は走るどころか、歩くのもやっとだ。
Far from running, he can … walk.
～得ない
「得ない」 talks about whether something is possible in a formal written style. It usually follows the verb stem.
そんなことはあり得ない。
That … happen.
～得る
「得る」 talks about whether something is possible in a formal written style. It usually follows the verb stem.
彼は信頼し得る人物だ。
He is a person who … be trusted.
～ばかりに
「ばかりに」 connects a cause with its result. The nuance depends on the pattern: neutral reason, thanks to, blame, or an unfortunate result.
病気ばかりに仕事を休んだ。
I took off work … I was sick.
～だけましだ
「だけましだ」 expresses that although the situation is bad, it could be worse — 'at least; be grateful for small mercies'. The speaker finds a silver lining.
試験に合格しただけましだ、親に感謝している。
I passed the exam, and … that.
～だけのことはある
「だけのことはある」 connects a reason with an expected impressive result: because A is true, B makes sense.
彼は有名な先生だけのことはある、教え方が上手だ。
He’s a famous teacher, and … he teaches well.
～でしかない
「しか」 reduces something to its bare minimum: 'nothing but; no more than'. It is more emphatic than にすぎない and often carries a dismissive or resigned tone.
この資料は社内でしか使えない。
This document … be used internally.
～ものだから
「人間なものだから」 gives an explanation or excuse for the preceding situation, with a slightly apologetic or justifying nuance. It is softer than から but stronger than ので.
祖父は昔気質の人間なものだから、挨拶にはとても厳しい。
My grandfather is an old-fashioned sort, so he is very strict about greetings.
～方に
～方に marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「方に」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 先生の話し方に、皆が笑った。
先生の話し方に、皆が笑った。
Everyone laughed at the teacher's … of speaking.
～がきっかけで
「きっかけ」 marks the event that triggered a change or started a new situation. The noun before it is the catalyst; the second clause describes what changed because of it.
旅行がきっかけで、日本語を勉強し始めた。
I started studying Japanese … my trip.
～ものなら
「ものなら」 introduces a dare or a hypothetical impossible wish: 'if you dare to try; if it were ever possible'. The sentence often implies a strong consequence or warning that follows.
もし行けるものなら、私も一緒に行きます。
If it's possible to go, I'll go too.
～たびに
～たびに means 'every time [event happens]', emphasising a repeated pattern. It attaches to the dictionary form of a verb.
故郷に帰るたびに、懐かしい気持ちになる。
Every time I go back to my hometown, I feel nostalgic.
～わけだ
～わけだ marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「甘やかされて育ったわけだ」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 彼は三人兄弟の末っ子だ。だから甘やかされて育ったわけだ。
彼は三人兄弟の末っ子だ。だから甘やかされて育ったわけだ。
He is the youngest of three, so naturally he grew up indulged.
～てこそ
～てこそ marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「乗り越えてこそ」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 人は困難を乗り越えてこそ、本当の強さを身につける。
人は困難を乗り越えてこそ、本当の強さを身につける。
It is only by overcoming hardship that people gain real strength.
～まい
～まい expresses the speaker's strong negative intention ('will not do') or a negative conjecture ('probably will not'). It attaches to the dictionary form of most verbs.
二度と同じ失敗はするまいと心に誓った。
I swore to myself I would never make the same mistake again.