～たところで
「考えてみたところで」 focuses on a specific point in time, condition, or source of information. The surrounding sentence tells you which use it is.
この問題は考えてみたところで、私には解けない。
Even if I think about it, I can't solve this problem.
N2 Grammar guide · group 14 of 20
JLPT N2 grammar, group 14
21 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this group～上に
「遅刻した上に」 adds a second positive or negative fact on top of the first, intensifying the overall impression. It means 'not only A but also B; moreover'.
彼は遅刻した上に、約束を破った。
On top of being late, he broke his promise.
～はもとより
「大人はもとより」 presents the first item as obvious and expected, then adds that B is also true. It is stronger than だけでなく — A is already a given, and B adds even more.
この薬は大人はもとより、よく効く。
Not to mention adults, even children can take this medicine.
Vるだけなら
Vるだけなら marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「やるだけなら」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: この仕事はやるだけなら、誰でもできる。
この仕事はやるだけなら、誰でもできる。
If it's just doing it, anyone can do this work.
一般的に言って
「一般的に言って」 is a sentence-level expression that frames the statement as a summary, honest comment, obvious fact, or shared information.
一般的に言って、彼は正直だ。
Generally speaking, he is honest.
それどころか
「それどころか」 rejects the first level and says the reality is even stronger or more extreme. It means “far from A, actually B.”
この薬はそれどころか、副作用がある。
Not only does this medicine not work, it has side effects.
～にしろ～にしろ
「いいにしろ悪いにしろ」 lists alternatives and says the same conclusion applies whichever side is chosen.
いいにしろ悪いにしろ、今日は帰ります。
Whether it's OK or not, I'll go home today.
誰が～ても
「誰が見ても」 says the result stays the same no matter how strong the condition is.
彼は誰が見ても、天才だと思う。
No matter who sees him, I think he is a genius.
この～では
「この時間では」 rejects a possibility very strongly. The sentence is not a neutral guess; it says the speaker believes that situation cannot be true.
この時間では、彼は来るはずがない。
Given the time, there's no way he'll come.
～でさえ
「専門家でさえ」 highlights an extreme or unexpected example to make a stronger point. If even this extreme case is true, then the general case is certainly true too.
この仕事は専門家でさえ、私には無理だ。
Even for an expert, this work is impossible for me.
言うまでもなく
「言うまでもなく」 is a sentence-level expression that frames the statement as a summary, honest comment, obvious fact, or shared information.
言うまでもなく、彼は正直だ。
Needless to say, he is honest.
～によっては
「日によっては」 signals that the outcome varies depending on the specific case. Not all instances are the same — in some cases the result differs.
この店は日によっては、味が違う。
Depending on the day, the taste is different.
～て以来
「入社して以来10年間」 fixes the time relationship between the two clauses: since, every time, while, the moment, or immediately.
彼は入社して以来10年間、一度も文句を言ったことがない。
In the 10 years since joining, he has never complained once.
～まい
～まい expresses a strong personal vow or negative intention. 'I will never make such a failure again' — the speaker resolves firmly.
今回のような失敗は二度とするまいと固く誓った。
I firmly swore never to make such a failure again.
～てたまらない
～てたまらない marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「弾いてみたくてたまらない」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 新しい楽譜が届いて、早く弾いてみたくてたまらない。
新しい楽譜が届いて、早く弾いてみたくてたまらない。
The new sheet music arrived and I am dying to try playing it.
～ぬく
～ぬく marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「やりぬいた」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 初めての作品を、最後までやりぬいた。
初めての作品を、最後までやりぬいた。
I saw my first piece of work through to the very end.
～きる
～きる marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「仕上げきる」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 展示会までに、作品を仕上げきるつもりだ。
展示会までに、作品を仕上げきるつもりだ。
I intend to finish the piece completely before the exhibition.
～向きだ
～向きだ marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「人向きだ」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 盆栽は、一人の時間を楽しむ人向きだ。
盆栽は、一人の時間を楽しむ人向きだ。
Bonsai is well suited to people who enjoy time alone.
～といったら
～といったら marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「緊張といったらなかった」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 初めて舞台に立った時の緊張といったらなかった。
初めて舞台に立った時の緊張といったらなかった。
The nervousness when I first stood on stage was indescribable.
～をきっかけに
「をきっかけに」 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.
友人の誘いをきっかけに、書道を始めた。
Prompted by a friend's invitation, I took up calligraphy.
～たて
～たて marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「習いたて」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 教室で習いたての曲を、家族に披露した。
教室で習いたての曲を、家族に披露した。
I performed for my family a piece I had just learned at class.