JLPT N1 Grammar
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Starting from; until (as the last time)
Category: Range and Limits
The grammar pattern "名詞 ＋ を限りに" is used to announce the termination of a continuous action or state at a specific point in time. It emphasizes the last occurrence of an event or state, often related to time or a specific situation. For instance, it can be used to indicate the last time something happened or the final point of a continuous action.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | 名詞 + を限りに | 例: 今日を限りに |
| Noun (in the accusative form) | 名詞 (を) を限りに | 例: 今年を限りに |
| Noun (in the genitive form) | 名詞のを限りに | 例: この店のを限りに |
長年親しまれてきたこの老舗旅館も、今月末を限りに廃業することになった。
Chōnen o shishimarete kita kono rōhō ryokan mo, kageetsu o kagiri ni haijō suru koto ni natta.
The long-established inn, which has been well-loved for many years, will close down as of the end of this month.
長年親しまれてきた (long-established and well-loved) / この老舗旅館も (this inn too) / 今月末を限りに (as of the end of this month) / 廃業することになった (will close down)
彼は「もう二度と会わない」と、今日を限りに彼女との連絡を絶った。
Kare wa "mō ni-do to wa nai" to, kyō o kagiri ni kanojo to no renraku o tatsu.
He said, "I will never see you again," and ended all contact with her as of today.
彼は (he) / 「もう二度と会わない」と (will never see you again) / 今日を限りに (as of today) / 彼女との連絡を絶った (ended all contact with her)
選手たちは声を限りに応援団の声に応え、全力で走り抜けた。
Sentā tachi wa koe o kagiri ni ōen-dan no koe ni tatte, zenryoku de hashirinuketa.
The athletes responded with all their might to the cheers of the cheering squad, which ended with their voices.
選手たちは (the athletes) / 声を限りに (with all their might) / 応援団の声に応え (responded to the cheers) / 全力で走り抜けた (ran with all their might)
This pattern is used to indicate the termination of a continuous action or state at a specific point in time. It is often used with expressions related to time, such as "today" or "this month." It can also be used to emphasize the final point of a continuous action. The pattern is typically used in formal or written language.
～を皮切りに and ～を限り are often confused, but they have different meanings. ～を皮切りに is used for starting a new action or state, while ～を限り is used for terminating a continuous action or state.
～を限り is used to indicate the termination of a continuous action or state, not the start of a new one. For future starting points, use a different pattern to convey the correct meaning.
～かぎり and ～を限り are often confused, but they have different meanings. ～かぎり is used for indicating a limit or boundary, while ～を限り is used for terminating a continuous action or state.
In the JLPT N1 exam, you may encounter this pattern in reading comprehension or listening sections. Pay attention to the context and the meaning of the sentence to determine the correct usage of ～を限り.
長年親しまれてきたこの老舗旅館も、今月末______廃業することになった。
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.