N2 Grammar

Used when the level, treatment or choice changes in accordance with the conditions/objects. Often goes with nouns like 年齢・能力・予算.

Emphasizes a range or period of time extending from beginning to end, like 3日間・地域全体・広い分野.

Used when there is debate, conflict or many opinions surrounding an issue; not simply “relating to”.

Can mean “through medium/intermediary” or “over a period of time”.

Meaning "regardless/without distinction"; The preceding condition does not affect the conclusion in the latter.

There are two ways to use it: direct the action/emotion on the object, or place the two objects/sides in an opposing position for comparison.

A formal way of speaking about a subject or matter related to a noun; ～に関する comes before nouns.

Add an element in the same direction as the stated element, meaning "in addition to... also...".

Follow plans, guidelines, standards or expectations; does not mean “data-based” like ～に基づいて.

Action or judgment based on specific grounds such as data, facts, laws, or survey results.

Formal expression, meaning something done before another event or activity.

Two changes occur simultaneously or one change leads to another; often used in writing.

Take a person, place or topic as the center to expand the activity/scope.

Give a typical example and then include other similar objects; usually translated as “typically/beginning with”.

Take documents, information or facts as a basis for creating or thinking about new things; different from ～に基づいて in the nuance of "relying on the material/base".

Vます＋次第 means “immediately after finishing”; N＋次第 means “depending on/depending on the situation”. Not to be confused with ～次第で which indicates condition.

Formal expression equivalent to “when”; often appears in instructions, announcements or writing.

Every time the previous thing happens, the next thing repeats. Do not use natural for events that only happen once.

From a point in the past that continues continuously into the present; The latter is usually a state or action that is still continuing.

Just when one thing is happening, something else happens in between; often creates a feeling of interruption.

Can mean “during” or “before the state changes”; Must rely on context to differentiate.

Describe something that almost happened but in the end it didn't happen; often goes with もう少しで・危うく.

Formal speech used when starting or facing an important occasion/event.

Refers to an interval extending from point A to point B, usually used for time or area; The boundary does not have to be absolutely precise.

Once an admission, decision or responsibility has been made, an obligation, determination or conclusion follows.

Similar to ～以上は but often emphasizes determination, responsibility or the obvious thing after doing something.

If the former condition is not fulfilled, the latter cannot be performed or evaluated; often goes with 判断できない・分からない.

Negative assessment that if you stay in that state there will be problems; Do not use for neutral comments.

Make an assumption to think about or conclude; ～としたら is usually more about specific assumptions, ～とすれば is more about arguments.

Actual results differed from what would have been expected based on previous benchmarks.

Compare with expected level/standard; Results may be better or worse than anticipated.

～に限って can mean “at the right time/for that person” and is usually associated with unfavorable things; ～に限らず means “not limited to”.

Partial negation, meaning "not quite/not completely", not total negation.

The speaker strongly asserts that it cannot happen based on reason or common sense.

Not being able to do something because of responsibility, rules, or circumstances; different from not doing it because you don't like it.

Advise that nothing needs to be done; nuance is lighter than prohibition.

Unable to control emotions or actions. With する, use the special form せずにはいられない.

It also means that it is impossible not to do/feel; This way of speaking is often easier to recognize in spoken language.

A polite refusal means that it is difficult for the speaker to accept or fulfill the request.

Refers to the risk of a bad outcome; Not used to talk about positive abilities.

There is no way to do it because of lack of necessary means, information or conditions.

Firm judgments based on evidence or inference; Strong but still the speaker's opinion.

Very strong assertion based on subjective feelings or opinions; usually more definitive than ～に違いない.

Reasoning based on known information/schedule, meaning “should/must be”; not absolutely sure.

Strongly negate an inference: based on known information, it cannot be true.

Lower the level or limit things, meaning “just/no more”; Do not use to assert high value.

The negative is always true: it may be true in some cases but not in all cases.

Can be used to convey information heard or to restate a “meaning” conclusion.

Make an essential/natural statement, often translated as “it is/that is what it is”.

Used for the speaker's own emotions or feelings that are very strong, unpleasant, or unbearable.

Used for uncontrollable emotions, feelings or states; natural in speaking.

Express emotions, thoughts or feelings that naturally appear in your heart; usually more formal than ～てしょうがない.

Because of the extreme intensity of the emotions/actions, the results are; often has unexpected nuances.

Refers to the level “to the extent”; In the form ～ば～ほど it means “the more ... the more”.

Just because of a small cause, it leads to bad or unfortunate results; often brings regret.

The latter negates or exceeds the former, meaning "not only does not... but also...".

It's not the right time/circumstance to do it because there's something more urgent or serious.

Admitting the former but the latter gives results contrary to expectations; writing is better than ～けれども.

When it means "although", it shows the contrast between what is known/perceived and actual action.

～つつも means “although”; formal speaking, often found in writing.

Refers to a trend that continues in one direction, usually used for change that is difficult to control or undesirable.

Put two sides or two parallel events for comparison; means “on the other hand/meanwhile”.

There is not only A but also B; B is often the added and more surprising thing.

Note: check the formation and sentence context to distinguish this pattern from similar ones.

Add a characteristic or reason in the same direction as the previous clause; Can be used for both good and bad results.

Reduce or adjust the level of what you just said: “say... but actually just...".

Correct the previous expression and give a more appropriate way of saying: "to be more precise...".

The subject actively tries to create habits or adjust behavior to achieve a certain state.

Emphasizes a change in state or possibility; not necessarily decided directly by the subject.

Predetermined rules, schedules, or decisions; not necessarily determined by the speaker.

The subject decides for himself or herself to do or not to do something.

An event becomes the opportunity or trigger for change.

Sending into action an emotion/meaning like 感謝・願い・愛情; Do not use for common materials.

Targeted or prepared for a specific time/object.

Adjust or make to suit a standard, time or purpose.

Follow orders, instructions, or rules; also used for a change proportional to a transformation.

As one change progresses, another change also progresses; Usually not used for active will.

After a long process of thinking/experimenting, the final result is achieved, usually a bad or unfortunate result.

After a long process of discussion, thinking or effort, results are reached; The results can be good or bad.

State the results obtained after the action, investigation or process; often used in writing.

Take a fact or characteristic as a basis to infer a cause, name or conclusion.

～せいで attributing causes to bad results; ～せいか only lightly speculated that perhaps it was due to that reason.

State a good cause leading to a good result, meaning "thanks"; Sometimes sarcasm is used when the results are bad.

The word asking for a favor is very polite, used when you want someone else to perform an action for you.

A humble way to say you are allowed or enabled to do something.

Polite request form: お＋Japanese verb or ご＋Sino-Japanese word＋ください.

The humble/polite way of ～てきました, emphasizes the process that has continued up to the present.

The polite/humble way of ～ています or ～ています; Common in work and service.

Used when the speaker understands or makes a reasonable conclusion from previous information, often translated as “no wonder/that means”.

Used to belittle, belittle or express surprise; nuance depends on context and tone.

Can mean “hear/seem” or “sound”; need to look at the context to differentiate.

Do or happen exactly according to what was said, seen, instructed or predicted.

Asserting the cause/nature is nothing more than what is stated; formal and emphatic speaking.

Note: ～たうえで means to finish A before doing B; Nのうえで is considered on the basis of a problem, not completely synonymous with ～てから.

Note: informal expression of ～ように／～ような, used to compare or say “as if”; Avoid using it in too formal texts.

Note: the hard way of saying ～しかない, expressing the conclusion that there is no other choice.

Note: refers to the rank or position immediately following an object, not simply “next in time”.

Note: describes repetition distance; 二日おきに is every two days.

Note: the previous clause is a mandatory condition; If A has not been completed, B cannot or cannot be done.

Note: the more ... the sample is with intention/attempt; often describes an increase in level of effort.

Note: choose a prominent, often more extreme, case for emphasis; Don't use it like ～に対して normally.

Note: not affected by previous conditions; often goes with two opposing possibilities like する・しない.

Note: talk about a change that happens without the speaker realizing the moment.

Note: put two opposite sides of the same thing, usually the advantages in the former and the disadvantages in the latter.

Note: confirm that a simpler option is also acceptable; Soft and suggestive shades.

Note: right when you are planning to do A, you discover or happen B; different from ～たら which indicates normal conditions.

Note: used to indicate the purpose "not to..." or the reminder "not to...".

Note: Vる＋ことがある is sometimes occurs; Vた＋ことがある means having experience.

Note: the subject causes other people to have thoughts/feelings; It's not like the speaker himself thinks like ～と思う.

Note: the request is soft and polite, used to reduce the directness of the request.

Note: keep the status quo after doing A; That state continues while doing other things.

Note: emphasize the level "to the full"; in ～さえ～ば can mean that only the minimum condition is enough.

Note: conditions based on known information, often with nuances of “if it is so then”.

Note: quote a question or opinion as a noun, often used to describe the type of question/criticism.

Note: strong limitation that it is just A, not more than A; close in meaning to ～にすぎない but emphasize the noun before でしかない.

Note: connect two pieces of information in the same direction "not only A but also B"; usually has も or は in the latter part.

Note: indicates the amount of time since the last time or the amount of time that has passed; ～年ぶりに means after many years.

Note: saying an element is an indispensable condition; stronger nuance ～が必要だ.

Note: give a few typical examples and then generalize them into groups, not necessarily a complete list.

Note: after doing A, there is no further action/result until now.

Note: formal form of ～のなら／～なら, used when taking information as a premise and then drawing a conclusion.

Note: emphasizes the level reached after a change process; different from ～までだ.

Note: indicates a trend that often occurs, often has negative nuances or needs attention; is not simply a neutral frequency.