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Expressing immediacy, timing, transitions, and temporal scope
What each pattern means, when to use it, and the mistakes that cost marks in the exam.
Used when the second action happens almost simultaneously with the first. It often describes a sudden, surprising, or eager reaction. It cannot be used for the speaker's future intentions or requests.
Common mistakes
While doing the primary action (often related to movement), the secondary action is also performed. Action A is the main reason, and B is a convenient addition.
Common mistakes
A very formal expression used when one action serves two purposes. Often used in greetings, apologies, or formal visits.
Common mistakes
Used to describe someone who performs two different roles or activities concurrently over a period of time, usually a main job and a secondary interest or side job.
Common mistakes
Indicates that the second action occurs immediately after the first. The subject is usually the third person and remains the same in both clauses. It often implies a surprising or slightly abnormal reaction.
Common mistakes
A formal expression used to emphasize that something occurs specifically because of a particular situation, environment, or period. Often used for challenging or special circumstances.
Common mistakes
Indicates that a situation has progressed to a certain point (often extreme) before an action occurs or a realization is made. Often used with 'ようやく' (finally).
Common mistakes
Indicates that one event triggers a succession of similar events or activities. It implies that the first action was the start of a series or a momentum.
Common mistakes
A formal expression similar to ～を機に, but emphasizes that the event was a major turning point or a decisive trigger for a significant change (often social or historical).
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Indicates that a certain event became the direct reason or opportunity to start something new or make a change.
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Used to describe a situation where, despite something being done, the opposite or an undesirable situation occurs immediately and repeatedly. It carries a nuance of frustration or futility.
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Indicates that since a specific event happened, a significant change has occurred and has continued until now. It focuses on the continuous state following the trigger event.
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Emphasizes that a state has continued uninterrupted throughout a specific duration until now. Often used to express emotion or emphasis about the length of time.
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Describes passing through a specific process, period, or location. It emphasizes the stages or transitions gone through to reach the current state.
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Indicates a major turning point or boundary where things changed significantly before and after. It is used when a specific event or point in time marks a clear shift in state.
Common mistakes
A formal and literary expression indicating that the second action follows immediately after the first. It emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the sequence.
Common mistakes
Adaptive practice
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