～ばかりか
「約束を破るばかりか」 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.
彼は約束を破るばかりか、約束を守らない。
Not only does he break promises, but he also lies.
N2 Grammar guide · group 8 of 20
JLPT N2 grammar, group 8
22 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this group～とたんに
「とたんに」 fixes the time relationship between the two clauses: since, every time, while, the moment, or immediately.
この薬を飲んだとたんに、眠くなった。
The moment I took this medicine, I got sleepy.
～かのように
「神であるかのように」 shows that something happens as stated, as seen, or as if it were true.
彼は神であるかのように、何でも知っている。
He knows everything as if he were a god.
～なら
～なら marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「君なら」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: この問題は君なら、解ける。
この問題は君なら、解ける。
If it's you, you can solve this problem.
最後まで
最後まで marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「最後まで」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 最後まで、諦めるな。
最後まで、諦めるな。
Don't give up until the very end.
～ながらも
「知っていながらも」 expresses a concession: despite A being true, B is also true, and the two are in tension. It is softer than のに and neutral in register.
彼は知っていながらも、何も言わない。
Despite knowing, he says nothing.
～に反して
～に反して marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「評判に反して」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: この映画は評判に反して、つまらない。
この映画は評判に反して、つまらない。
Contrary to its reputation, this movie is boring.
～にかかわらず
～にかかわらず marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「好き嫌いにかかわらず」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 好き嫌いにかかわらず、彼は正しい。
好き嫌いにかかわらず、彼は正しい。
Whether you like it or not, he is right.
～としては
「私としては」 sets the viewpoint or standard used to judge the rest of the sentence. Here the phrase before the blank is the standpoint, and the following clause gives the judgment from that standpoint.
この仕事は私としては、できない。
As far as I'm concerned, I can't do this work.
誰に対しても
「誰に対しても」 points to the target of an attitude, action, comparison, or contrast. The phrase before it is what the following statement is directed toward.
彼は誰に対しても、誰にも優しい。
He is kind to everyone without exception.
～際には
「何かあった際には」 marks a specific occasion, moment, or situation when something applies. It is formal and interchangeable with ～のとき, but more common in written Japanese and announcements.
何かあった際には、連絡します。
In case anything happens, I will contact you.
～ば～ほど
「動かせば動かすほど」 expresses proportional change: as one thing increases or continues, the other changes with it.
体を動かせば動かすほど、回復も早くなる。
The more you move your body, the faster you recover.
～がちだ
～がちだ marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「ひきがちだ」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 睡眠が足りないと、風邪をひきがちだ。
睡眠が足りないと、風邪をひきがちだ。
When you do not get enough sleep, you tend to catch colds.
～ない限り
「事故でもない限り」 sets a necessary condition: unless that condition changes, the result in the second clause remains true.
事故でもない限り、彼は来るはずだ。
Unless there's an accident, he should come.
～てからでないと
～てからでないと marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「見てからでないと」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 検査の結果を見てからでないと、治療方針は決められない。
検査の結果を見てからでないと、治療方針は決められない。
Until we have seen the test results, we cannot decide on a treatment plan.
必要であれば
必要であれば marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「必要であれば」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: 必要であれば、連絡してください。
必要であれば、連絡してください。
If necessary, please contact me.
～だけに
「大変なだけに」 emphasizes that the reason in the first clause makes the feeling or result in the second clause stronger.
この仕事は大変なだけに、やりがいがある。
Precisely because it's hard, this work is rewarding.
～ないうちに
「上がらないうちに」 fixes the time relationship between the two clauses: since, every time, while, the moment, or immediately.
熱が上がらないうちに、早めに病院へ行ったほうがいい。
You should go to the doctor early, before your fever rises.
見た目に反して
見た目に反して marks the key relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Here, 「見た目に反して」 matches both the sentence meaning and the completed structure: この薬は見た目に反して、飲みやすい。
この薬は見た目に反して、飲みやすい。
Contrary to appearance, this medicine is easy to drink.
～かねない
「悪化しかねない」 warns of a negative risk: if the current situation continues, something bad might happen. The tone is one of cautionary prediction, not the speaker's own refusal.
自己判断で薬を止めると、症状が悪化しかねない。
If you stop the medication on your own judgement, symptoms could well worsen.
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、社長になった。
As everyone knows, he became president.
できる限り
「できる限り」 limits the scope of the statement: as long as, to the extent of, or within the range of the first clause.
できる限り、頑張ります。
I will try as much as I can.