～からには
「言ったからには」 means “now that/since A is true,” so the second clause follows as a duty, decision, or natural conclusion.
彼は言ったからには、絶対に約束を守る。
Once he says it, he absolutely keeps his promises.
N2 Grammar guide · group 4 of 20
JLPT N2 grammar, group 4
22 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this group～くせに
「くせに」 marks a blame/criticism contrast: the first clause creates an expectation, but the second clause goes against it. That negative attitude is why のに-like options are not enough here.
日本に住んでいるくせに、日本語が下手だ。
Even though he lives in Japan, his Japanese is poor.
～以上（は）
「こうなった以上」 means “now that/since A is true,” so the second clause follows as a duty, decision, or natural conclusion.
こうなった以上、やり直すしかない。
Now that it's come to this, there's no choice but to redo it.
～のくせに
「のくせに」 marks a blame/criticism contrast: the first clause creates an expectation, but the second clause goes against it. That negative attitude is why のに-like options are not enough here.
子供のくせに、そんなこと言っちゃダメだ。
Even though you're a child, you shouldn't say that.
～はもちろん
「はもちろん」 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.
この店は味はもちろん、値段も安い。
Not to mention the taste, the price is also cheap at this restaurant.
～と言っても過言ではない
「天才と言っても過言ではない」 signals that the speaker is making a bold claim but insists it is not an exaggeration. It often follows a surprising or emphatic statement.
彼は天才と言っても過言ではない天才だ。
It's no exaggeration to call him a genius.
何があっても
何があっても marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「何があっても」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 何があっても、彼を信じる。
何があっても、彼を信じる。
No matter what happens, I trust him.
～ながら
～ながら marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「知っていながら」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 彼は知っていながら、約束を破った。
彼は知っていながら、約束を破った。
Despite knowing, he broke the promise.
いくら～ても
「いくら」 says the result stays the same no matter how strong the condition is.
いくら考えても、答えが出ない。
No matter how much I think, I can't find the answer.
どんなに～でも
「どんなに」 says the result stays the same no matter how strong the condition is.
どんなに美人でも、性格が悪ければダメだ。
No matter how beautiful she is, if her personality is bad, it's no good.
～となると
「スポーツとなると」 introduces a change in situation and signals a new consideration or concern that arises from it. It often implies the speaker is thinking ahead.
彼はスポーツとなると、誰にも負けない。
When it comes to sports, he can't be beaten by anyone.
～中には
～中には marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「今日中には」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: この仕事は今日中には終わらない。
この仕事は今日中には終わらない。
This work won't finish within today.
ご存知の通り
「ご存知の通り」 shows that something happens as stated, as seen, or as if it were true.
彼はご存知の通り、皆に好かれている。
As you know, he is liked by everyone.
～次第
「分かり次第」 has two main uses: (1) 'as soon as' — the moment the verb-masu action is completed, the second clause follows immediately; (2) 'depending on' — the outcome varies according to N.
分かり次第、結果を報告します。
As soon as we know, we will report the results.
～かねない
～かねない means 'might happen; there is a risk of'. It expresses a negative possibility the speaker is warning about. Pattern: V-masu stem + かねない.
その発言は誤解を招きかねない。
That remark might cause a misunderstanding.
～に越したことはない
～に越したことはない marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「控えめに越したことはない」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 見た目の評価は、控えめに越したことはない。
見た目の評価は、控えめに越したことはない。
When judging appearances, nothing beats being understated.
～ないことには
～ないことには marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「見ないことには」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 実物を見ないことには、品質の良し悪しは判断できない。
実物を見ないことには、品質の良し悪しは判断できない。
Unless you see the actual item, you cannot judge whether the quality is good.
～というものだ
～というものだ marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「浅はかというものだ」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 人を見た目だけで判断するのは、浅はかというものだ。
人を見た目だけで判断するのは、浅はかというものだ。
Judging people by looks alone is simply shallow.
～かねる
～かねます (polite form of ～かねる) means 'I am unable to bring myself to; I find it difficult to'. It expresses reluctance based on conscience or circumstances, not physical impossibility.
その条件では、契約に同意しかねます。
I am unable to agree to the contract under those conditions.
～てはいられない
～てはいられない marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「見てはいられない」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 評判が落ちていくのを、黙って見てはいられない。
評判が落ちていくのを、黙って見てはいられない。
I cannot just stand by silently watching our reputation slide.
～きらいがある
～きらいがある marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「引きずられるきらいがある」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 彼の評価は、第一印象に引きずられるきらいがある。
彼の評価は、第一印象に引きずられるきらいがある。
His assessments have a tendency to be dragged along by first impressions.
～ものがある
～ものがある marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「人を引き込むものがある」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 彼女の淡々とした語り口には、人を引き込むものがある。
彼女の淡々とした語り口には、人を引き込むものがある。
There is something about her matter-of-fact way of speaking that draws people in.