Grammar Points

JLPT grammar patterns N5 to N1 — how each one attaches, what it means, and a worked example.

• 〜ようになる — N4 — Reach the point where / become able to
• 〜はずだ — N4 — Expected to be / should be
• 〜のだ / んだ — N4 — explanatory particle (it is that..., because...)
• 〜かもしれない — N4 — Might / may
• 〜なければならない — N4 — Must / have to
• 〜よ — N5 — you know / I tell you (asserting new information)
• 〜ても — N4 — Even if / even though
• 〜たら — N4 — If / when / once
• 〜命令形（ろ・え） — N4 — imperative form (do...!)
• 〜ば — N4 — If (conditional)
• 〜ようとする — N4 — Try to / be about to
• 〜ようにする — N4 — Make an effort to / try to (as a habit)
• 〜な（禁止） — N4 — do not... (strong negative imperative)
• 〜ところだ — N4 — Just about to / in the middle of / just finished
• 〜なさい — N4 — Do... (imperative command)
• 〜てもらう — N4 — to have someone do something (receive a favor)
• 〜ために — N4 — For / in order to / for the sake of
• 〜ように — N4 — In order to / so that
• 〜てあげる — N4 — to do something for someone (as a favor)
• 〜てくれる — N4 — someone does something for me (or my in-group)
• 〜させる（使役） — N4 — to make or let someone do something (causative)
• 〜られる（受身） — N4 — to be done (passive voice), often expressing annoyance
• 〜ことができる — N4 — can do, to be able to do
• 〜ようと思う — N4 — thinking of doing, intending to do
• 〜ずつ — N5 — each / at a time
• 〜ことにする — N4 — to decide to do (by one's own will)
• 〜ていく — N4 — to go on doing, to do and go
• 〜ことになる — N3 — it has been decided that, to end up doing
• 〜てほしい — N4 — want someone to do something
• 〜てある — N4 — something has been done (and the result remains)
• 〜し — N4 — and, what's more (listing reasons/states)
• 〜がる — N4 — to show signs of, to behave as if feeling (third person)
• 〜てくる — N4 — to come to do, to start to, to do and come back
• 〜ておく — N4 — to do something in advance / to leave something as is
• 〜つもりです — N5 — Plan to / Intend to...
• 〜てくださる — N4 — someone (of higher status) does something for me
• 〜ていただく — N4 — to have someone (of higher status) do something for you
• 〜てさしあげる — N4 — to do something for someone (of higher status)
• 〜てやる — N4 — to do something for someone (of lower status, children, or pets)
• 〜つつある — N3 — to be in the process of
• 〜しか〜ない — N5 — only; nothing but (with negative)
• 〜なくてもいいです — N5 — don't have to; need not
• 〜なければなりません — N5 — must do; have to do
• 〜ばかり — N3 — nothing but, only
• 〜てから — N5 — after doing
• 〜になります — N5 — Become... / Turn into...
• 〜がほしいです — N5 — Want (a noun)
• 〜へ — N5 — to (direction)
• 〜と — N5 — and (complete list) / with
• 〜ね — N5 — right? / isn't it? (seeking agreement)

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