Point 1L11_G1
1. ～ことにする・～ことにしている (I have decided to...)
Sentence Pattern
Vる (dictionary form) / Vている / Vない + ことにする
Vる (dictionary form) / Vない + ことにしている
Vる (dictionary form) / Vない + ことにしている
"I have decided to ~"
This structure is mostly used in the form "～ことにした" to indicate a past decision, but it can also express a determination made at the moment of speaking (as in example ③).
The form "～ことにしている" (as in example ④) indicates that the speaker is currently continuing to carry out the resolution they made.
"~" is an intentional verb.
"~" is an intentional verb.
Example Sentences (4)
冷蔵庫がこわれたので、新しいのを買うことにした。
Since the refrigerator broke, I decided to buy a new one.
口を出すと怒られるので、何も言わないで黙っていることにした。
Since I get yelled at if I speak up, I decided to keep quiet and not say anything.
娘「お父さん、今度の休みにディズニーランドに連れていってよ。」
父「よし、わかった。じゃ、友だちとゴルフに行く約束は断ることにするよ。」
Daughter: "Dad, take me to Disneyland next holiday."
Father: "Alright, I got it. Then, I will decide to cancel my golf plans with my friends."
部長の言葉はいつもとてもきびしいが、わたしは気にしないことにしている。
The manager's words are always very strict, but I make it a rule not to let it bother me.
Point 2L11_G2
2. ～ようにする・～ようにしている (Make an effort to...)
Sentence Pattern
Vる (dictionary form) / Vない + ようにする・ようにしている
"Try to / Try not to ~"
Expresses an effort to do (or not to do) a certain action.
The form "～ようにしている" (as in example ④) shows that the effort is continuously maintained as a habit.
"~" is an intentional verb.
"~" is an intentional verb.
Example Sentences (4)
水や電気は大切に使うようにしましょう。
Let's try to use water and electricity carefully.
妻「あなたの帰りが毎日遅いから、子どもたちがさびしがっているわ。」
夫「そうか。これからはもっと早く帰るようにするよ。」
Wife: "Because you come home late every day, the kids are feeling lonely."
Husband: "Is that so? From now on, I will try to come home earlier."
集合時間に遅れないようにしてください。
Please try not to be late for the gathering time.
わたしはなるべく自分で料理を作って食べるようにしている。
I make it a rule to try cooking and eating my own meals as much as possible.
Point 3L11_G3
3. ～(よ)うとする (Try to / Be about to...)
Sentence Pattern
Volitional form (う・よう form) + とする
"Try to do / Be about to do ~"
Expresses an effort to do something. As in examples ③④, it can also describe a situation right before an action "~" takes place.
As in examples ⑤⑥, when the subject is not the speaker, the negative form (～ようとしない) indicates that the person has no intention of doing "~" at all.
Example Sentences (6)
あの子は一生けんめい手を伸ばして、テーブルの上のおもちゃを取ろうとしている。
That child is trying hard to reach out and grab the toy on the table.
きのうの夜は眠ろうとしてもなかなか眠れなかった。
Last night, even though I tried to sleep, I just couldn't.
家を出ようとしたとき、突然大雨が降り出した。
Just as I was about to leave the house, it suddenly started raining heavily.
重い荷物を持ち上げようとしたら、腰が痛くなってしまった。
When I tried to lift the heavy luggage, my lower back started hurting.
いくら勧めても夫は病院へ行こうとしない。
No matter how much I encourage him, my husband has no intention of going to the hospital.
父に事情を説明しようとしたが、父は話を聞こうとはしなかった。
I tried to explain the situation to my father, but he wouldn't even listen to what I had to say.
Point 4L11_G4
4. ～つもりだ (To believe oneself to be...)
Sentence Pattern
Plain form (Na-adjective: だ → な / N: だ → の) + つもりだ
"(In reality it might not be true/others might not think so, but) one personally feels/believes that ~"
When used in this sense, the preceding verb is not in dictionary form or Nai form.
This structure can also be used as a way to criticize the other person, as shown in example ④.
This structure can also be used as a way to criticize the other person, as shown in example ④.
Example Sentences (4)
わたしは今年77歳ですが、まだまだ若いつもりです。
I am 77 years old this year, but I still feel like I am young.
じょうだんで言ったつもりの言葉だったが、彼は怒ったような顔をした。
I thought I was just saying it as a joke, but he looked angry.
先に入社した由美は先輩のつもりらしいが、本当はわたしの方が年上なのだ。
Yumi, who joined the company earlier, seems to consider herself my senior, but actually, I am older than her.
こんなに汚いのに、それでも掃除したつもりですか。
Even though it's this dirty, do you still think you've cleaned it?
