N2 Grammar guide · group 5 of 20
21 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this group～のいかんにかかわらず marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「のいかんにかかわらず」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 雨のいかんにかかわらず、試合は行われる。
雨のいかんにかかわらず、試合は行われる。
The game will be held regardless of the rain.
「住むにつれて」 shows that as one thing changes, another changes in proportion. The change is gradual and proportional. It is similar to ～に従って but more naturally describes gradual change.
日本に住むにつれて、日本語が上手になった。
As I lived in Japan, my Japanese improved.
「起きると同時に」 links two simultaneous states or qualities of the same subject: A is true and, at the same time, B is also true. Both halves share the same noun or event as their subject.
地震が起きると同時に、電気が消えた。
The moment the earthquake occurred, the lights went out.
「でありながらも」 connects two contrasting qualities or states that belong to the same subject. The subject simultaneously holds both, which is surprising or ironic.
彼は社長でありながらも、社員のことを考えない。
Despite being president, he doesn't think about employees.
～つもりだ marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「医者になるつもり」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 彼は医者になるつもり医者になるつもりだ。
彼は医者になるつもり医者になるつもりだ。
He intends to become a doctor.
それだけ～ば marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「それだけ勉強すれば」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: それだけ勉強すれば、合格するはずだ。
それだけ勉強すれば、合格するはずだ。
If you study that much, you should pass.
「文句を言ってばかりいる」 criticises or describes someone who does nothing but one action repeatedly. It carries a negative or reproachful tone — they are overdoing or stuck in that single action.
彼は文句を言ってばかりいる、文句を言う。
He is always complaining.
何かあったら marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「何かあったら」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 何かあったら、連絡してください。
何かあったら、連絡してください。
If there's anything, please contact me.
こうなったら marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「こうなったら」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: こうなったら、やるしかない。
こうなったら、やるしかない。
Now that it's come to this, there's nothing to do but do it.
「どうやっても」 says the result stays the same no matter how strong the condition is.
この仕事はどうやっても、できない。
No matter how I try, I can't do this work.
「言った通り」 shows that something happens as stated, as seen, or as if it were true.
彼は言った通り、約束を守った。
As he said, he kept his promise.
「悪くなるばかりだ」 shows that a change keeps moving in one direction, often a negative one. The verb before it describes the continuing trend.
注意されてから、彼の機嫌は悪くなるばかりだ。
Since being told off, his mood has only got worse.
「注意したにもかかわらず」 creates a concession: the second clause goes against what the first clause would normally lead you to expect.
注意したにもかかわらず、失敗した。
Despite being careful, I failed.
「誰がやっても」 says the result stays the same no matter how strong the condition is.
この問題は誰がやっても、解けない。
No matter who tries, this problem can't be solved.
～ずにはいられない means 'cannot help doing; cannot stop oneself from doing'. Pattern: V-nai stem + ずにはいられない (exception: する → せずにはいられない).
彼女の歌声を聞いて、涙を流さずにはいられなかった。
Hearing her singing voice, I could not help but shed tears.
「励ましてくれたことか」 expresses degree, extent, or a minimum amount.
あの日の彼の言葉が、どれほど私を励ましてくれたことか。
How much his words that day encouraged me!
～かと思うと marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「かと思うと」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 泣き出したかと思うと、彼女は急に笑い始めた。
泣き出したかと思うと、彼女は急に笑い始めた。
No sooner had she started crying than she suddenly began to laugh.
～ようがない means 'there is no way to do; it is impossible'. It expresses that there is literally no method available. Pattern: V-masu stem + ようがない / ようもない.
連絡先も住所も知らないので、知らせようがない。
Since I know neither their contact details nor their address, there is no way to notify them.
「せずに済んだ」 means the second action happens without doing the first action.
早めに謝っておけば、気まずい思いをせずに済んだ。
If I had apologised sooner, I could have got away without that awkwardness.
～てまで marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「抑えてまで」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 感情を抑えてまで、その場に留まる必要はない。
感情を抑えてまで、その場に留まる必要はない。
There is no need to stay there to the point of suppressing your feelings.
～ものだ marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「ものだ」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 若い頃は、悔しさでよく眠れなかったものだ。
若い頃は、悔しさでよく眠れなかったものだ。
When I was young, I used to lie awake out of frustration.