N4 grammar
Every N4 grammar point (68 in total) with usage notes, example sentences and English translations. Free to read, practise them in the Japanana app.
- んですAsking listener to confirm + When giving a reason or expiation In reply to a sentence with んです.
- ていただけませんかMore polite than てください to ask for something
- たら良いですかAsk for advice or instructions
- Potential verbsInstead of using with ことができます
- しかIt suggests insufficiency
- Contrast はは can be used to indicate a contrast
- V1ます-formながらV2Is doing V1 at the same time as V2. V2 is the main action.
- Plain form し、plain form し, -Mentioning two ore more similar things one after the other about the topic + to give a reason
- それでWhat is about to be said follows from what has just been said
- てしまいましたEmphasises that the action has been completed
- てしまいますIndicates that an action will be completed at some point in the future
- ていますIndicates a continuing state resulting from a purposeful action.
- てありますIndicates a continuing state resulting from a purposeful action.
- ておきます
- まだ + affirmativeStill
- とかand others
- Volitional verbsPlain style sentences form of ましょう + convey intention (has made the decision some time ago)
- (V plain form/ V ないform ない) つもりですIntention of the speaker to do something
- (V plain form/ N の) 予定ですThis is a way of stating one plans to do
- まだ V てform いませんIndicates a situation has not yet occurred
- (V た form/ V ないform ない) ほうがいいですGive suggestions or advice
- (V/い/な/N ~~だ~~) でしょうExpress opinion but is not sure
- (V/い/な/N ~~だ~~) かもしれませんSay that there is a possibility of something
- Imperative and prohibitive formsDemands mostly.
- (Sentence / plain form) と言っていましたReport what someone said
- (Sentence / plain form) と伝えていただけませんかIs used for quoting
- (V1 たform / Nの) とおりに、V2Do V2 the same method/same conditions as V1 + Act without deviating from the standard
- (V1 たform / Nの) あとで、V2Indicates that the action of V2 happens after the action by V1 or N
- Conditional formsExpressing something as a precondition for what is expressed in the following + Respond to what someone has said or to an explanation of a situation
- Interrogative V conditional form いいですかAsk for advice or instructions
- Nなら, -Nなら, -can also be used when giving information to someone about something they have just said
- (V plain/ Vないform ない) ように, V2Indicates the action denoted by V2 to achieve the situation
- (V plain) ようになりますIndicates changing from a state of being unable to do something to a stage of being able to do it
- (V plain/ Vないform ない) ようにしますIndicates that the speaker tries to perform a certain behaviour habit
- Passive verbsExpress passive verbs
- N1(person)はN2(person)にpassiveVExpresses an action performed by person2 to person1
- N1(person)はN2(person)にN3をpassiveVExpresses an action performed by person2 to person1
- N(tangible/intangible)が/は passive VLeave our person carrying out the action
- Nから/Nで作りますから is used when saying what something is made from and で is used when saying what something is made of
- (V/い/な/N1 ~~だ~~ -> な)のはN2ですThis sentence pattern is a way of emphasizing N2
- (V plain form/N の)途中でDuring or on the way to.
- (V/い/な/N ~~だ~~)か, -Sentence pattern for when using a question that includes and interrogative
- (V/い/な/N ~~だ~~)かどうか, -Sentence pattern for when using a question that includes a question word
- てform みますI will have another think about it
- いただきます, くださいます, やりますWhen the speaker receives something from someone of higher status -> いただきます
- NにVThe particle に means here 'as a token of' or 'in memory of'
- (V plain form / N の ために), -Indicates a purpose
- (V plain form の / N に), -In order to indicate their application or purpose
- によって (creation, discovery)When a verb expresses creation or discovery use によって, not に
- ますform-そうです (looks like そうです)Expresses the speaker's belief that the movement or change is likely to occur. (It looks like/It feels as if)
- (い~~い~~/な~~な~~)-そうです (looks like そうです)When inferring the nature of something from its external appearance without having actually confirmed the inference
- Vてform来ますVてform 来ます indicates that the speaker is going to go somewhere, do something, and come back
- (Vます/い-adj/な-adj)すぎます
- Vますform(やすいです/にくいです)When a volitional verb means easy to carry out, and the other is difficult to carry out. When a non-volitional verb is used, it means it is likely to occur while the other one is unlikely to occur.
- N1(い~~い~~く/な~~な~~に/N2に)しますExpresses change in its object instead of the subject of sentence like に/くなります
- NにしますThis sentence pattern indicates a choice or decision
- (V plain/V ないform ない/Vた form/い~~い~~/な -> +な/Nの)場合は、-In an expression used for postulating a situation and how to cope with the situation or its consequences
- (V/い/な/N~~だ~~-な)のに、-Is used when what is stated in the second clause of a sentence contradicts what would have been expected from the first clause (surprise, dissatisfaction)
- (V/Vている/Vた)ところですV ところです indicates an action is about to begin
- (Vた)ばかりですExpresses the speaker's sense that not much time has passed since an action has been performed or an event has occurred. This sentence can be used regardless of how much time has elapsed if the speaker feels short.
- (V/Vないformない/い-い/な-な/Nの)はずですThis sentence is used when a speaker states a conclusion that he or she has reached on particular grounds
- Vそうです (I heard そうです)They say that- Information by others when a source is given use によると.
- (V/い/な->~~だ~~な/N->~~だ~~の)ようですIt seems that - Expression describes the speaker has conclusion from observing a situation. Used with the adverb どうも when the speaker wishes to emphasize the tentative nature of his or her conclusion.
- Causative verbsCausative verbs indicate compulsion or permission. They are used by someone of higher status to someone of lower status.
- Causative sentencesWith causative verbs, the subject of action is indicated by を if the base verb is intransitive. The exception is when a place is used, you use に as it would be used for transitive verbs.
- Causative verb てform いただけませんかWould you please let me do-?
- 尊敬語To talk to someone of a higher position and you want to show respect
- 謙譲語To talk about the actions of the speaker or someone associated with the speaker to show respect to the person towards those actions are directed