JLPT N3 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 2: Relationships and Relevance

Relationships and Relevance

JLPT N3
Shinkanzen N3 • 5 key grammar patterns
Point 1L2_G1

1. ～とおり / ～どおり (Exactly like / Just as...)

Sentence Pattern
Vる / Vた + とおり [に]
N の + とおり [だ/に]
N + どおり [だ/に]

Expresses doing something or something occurring in accordance with the content, manner, prediction, plan, etc. stated before it. Depending on context, it means “as...”, “according to...”, or “just as...”. It does not always mean a 100% identical copy.

Note: With nouns, both Nのとおり and Nどおり occur; Nどおり is especially natural with nouns such as 予定・予想・計画.
Example Sentences (3)
説明書せつめいしょに書かいてあるとおりに組くみ立たてれば、誰だれでもできる。
If you assemble it exactly as written in the instruction manual, anyone can do it.
私わたしの予想よそうどおり、試験しけんは難むずかしくなかった。
Just as I expected, the exam was not difficult. (予想 is a Noun)
先生せんせいがおっしゃったとおりの言葉ことばを伝つたえます。
I will convey the exact words that the teacher said.
Point 2L2_G2

2. ～によって / ～による (Depending on / Due to / By...)

Sentence Pattern
Noun (N) + によって / によっては / により / による N

～によって / ～による has several uses:

① Depending on / according to: a result or situation varies with N. ～によっては = depending on N, in some cases...
② Cause/reason: “due to / because of”, often objective and written in tone.
③ Agent in a passive sentence: “by”. This is especially common with verbs of invention, discovery, creation, construction, etc., but is not limited only to “creative verbs”.
④ Depending on context, によって can also indicate means/method: “by / through / by means of”.

Example Sentences (4)
国籍こくせきによって、ビザの申請方法しんせいほうほうが違ちがう。
The visa application method differs depending on nationality.
状況じょうきょうによっては、計画けいかくを変更へんこうする必要ひつようがある。
Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to change the plan.
この小説しょうせつは、有名ゆうめいな作家さっかによって書かかれた。
This novel was written by a famous author.
事故じこによる交通渋滞こうつうじゅうたいで、会議かいぎに遅おくれてしまった。
I was late for the meeting due to a traffic jam caused by an accident.
Point 3L2_G3

3. ～たびに (Every time / Whenever...)

Sentence Pattern
Vる / Nの + たび (に)

Whenever a certain action or event occurs, another specific event always accompanies it. The following clause can express intentional or unintentional actions.

Example Sentences (3)
彼女かのじょに会あうたびに、新あたらしい発見はっけんがある。
Every time I meet her, I make a new discovery.
この曲きょくを聞きくたびに、故郷ふるさとを思おもい出だす。
Whenever I hear this song, I remember my hometown.
大統領だいとうりょうの演説えんぜつのたびに、国くにの政策せいさくが変かわる。
Every time the president gives a speech, the country's policies change.
Point 4L2_G4

4. ～ば～ほど / ～ほど (The more... the more...)

Sentence Pattern
Vば + Vる + ほど
Aい ければ + Aい + ほど
Aな なら(ば) + Aな + ほど
Aい / Aな / N + ほど (Shortened form)

Expresses a proportional change: "The more ... the more ..."

Example Sentences (5)
練習れんしゅうすればするほど、日本語にほんごが上達じょうたつする。
The more you practice, the more your Japanese will improve.
新あたらしいスマートフォンは、値段ねだんが高たかければ高たかいほど性能せいのうが良よい。
For new smartphones, the higher the price, the better the performance.
複雑ふくざつな問題もんだいほど、解決かいけつには時間じかんがかかる。
The more complex the problem, the more time it takes to solve. (Shortened form)
町まちがにぎやかなほど商店しょうてんでは物ものがよく売うれるのだ。
The livelier the town, the better things sell at the shops.
忙いそがしい人ひとほど時間じかんの使つかい方かたが上手じょうずだ。
The busier a person is, the better they are at managing their time.
Point 5L2_G5

5. ～ついでに (While at it / On the occasion of...)

Sentence Pattern
Vる / Vた + ついでに
N の + ついでに

While having the occasion to do one main action, another secondary action is done at the same opportunity: “while you are at it / on the occasion of...”.

✓ The first action is usually the main purpose or occasion, and the second is an additional action.
✓ The two actions are often performed by the same person, but “same subject” is not an absolute grammatical rule; the key is that the second action takes advantage of the opportunity created by the first.

Example Sentences (3)
銀行ぎんこうへ行いくついでに、コンビニで飲のみ物ものを買かってきた。
While going to the bank, I bought some drinks at the convenience store.
友達ともだちの家いえへ遊あそびに行いったついでに、近ちかくの美術館びじゅつかんに寄よった。
Since I went to my friend's house to hang out, I took the opportunity to drop by the nearby art museum.
出張しゅっちょうのついでに、その地方ちほうの名産品めいさんひんを買かってきた。
While on a business trip, I bought some local specialties. (出張 is a Verbal Noun)
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JLPT N3 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 2: Relationships and Relevance | NihongoN5toN1