Writing grammar
The 26 grammar points for essays, emails and formal Japanese, each with usage notes, example sentences and translations. Practise them in Japanana.
- のだ / -のではない
- であるN / なA ~~な~~ + である means the same as -だ but is more formal. It is often used in writing.
- ということになるということになる is used to sum up several items of information and state the implications of a situation
- ず、 ... (cause / reason, parataxis)Vないform ~~ない~~ + ず
- どちらかといえば、-ほうだ(V / いA / な ~~-だ~~->な) + ほうだ。どちらかと言えば、Xほうだ is used to indicate that a subject is strictly speaking, not completely X, but could be described as being X on the whole, without definitely committing oneself as to wether it is X or not.
- ますように/ませんようにますように / ませんように indicates wishing, hoping or praying that something will or will not happen. It is often used together with [どうか] or [どうぞ] when talking to oneself, or as a warning to someone else
- ます; い-adjective + くThe ます stem of a verb and the steam of an I adjective + く indicate that the sentence is continuing. This use is generally restricted to written language. In spoken language the the form of verb or and i adjective is commonly used.
- に違いないThis structure indicates that the speaker is certain that something is true or is the case. Must, I'm sure/certain that; It is certain that
- あるいはあるいは is used to connect alternatives. It is usually used in formal speech or written language.
- Sentenceという理由でという理由で is used to present the reason for a state, event or action started in the main clause.
- したがってしたがって indicated that the following statement is a/the logical consequence of what is stated in the preceding sentence. It is usually used in written language. Therefore; accordingly; consequently
- 少なくない少なくない double negative meaning -> "many; much" Cannot modify nouns!
- Noun1からNoun2にかけてXからYにかけて indicates a span of time or space and is used primarily in written language.
- XばかりでなくY(も)This structure is similar to XだけでなくY(も) and means "not only X but also Y".
- Noun1からNoun2に至るまでThis construction indicates a span of time or space and emphasises the size of that span at the same time. It can also be used for other than spatial or temporal spans. "From X all the way through Y; from X even to Y"
- Nounの上で; Noun上(で)Nの上(うえ)で and N上(じょう) indicate that the speaker's statement refers only to N. The phrase is commonly used in written language. "In terms of; from the viewpoint of -, as far as - is concerned, according to -
- SentenceことからSことから is used to express a reason "Because, from the fact that-"
- 左右する左右する means "to influence" or "to govern." It is commonly used in written language. "Influence, govern"
- いかに-かThis structure occurs as an embedded interrogative sentence, where いかに means "how (much)" or "in what way" いかに is commonly used in written language
- しかしながらしかしながら is a disjunctive conjunction and appears only in sentence-initial position. It is a highly formal expression and is usually used in written language. "However; but"
- あまりに(も)あまりに(も) indicated that the degree of something is excessively high. It is commonly used in formal language "too; excessively; so"
- につきDue to; because of; per; each
- のみならずUsed to express 'not only -'
- に相違ないUsed to express 'must be -'
- もののParadoxical fact like "it is A but B", but; although; even though ~.
- や否やas soon as; the moment ~; the minute (that); no sooner than ~