N2Change & Process

V（辞書形）＋ばかりだ / 一方だ

Q: Is "Using the -ta form of the verb instead of the dictionary form." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use the dictionary form of the verb (e.g., -u form).". The -ta form is used to express a completed action, while the dictionary form is used to express a change or process.

Q: Is "Using 'Bakari da' for a positive trend." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'Ippo da' for a positive trend.". 'Bakari da' is often used to express a negative trend, while 'Ippo da' is used for both positive and negative changes.

Q: Is "Using state verbs instead of change-action verbs." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use change-action verbs (e.g., -u form).". State verbs are used to express a static situation, while change-action verbs are used to express a change or process.

Continue to (tendency toward a direction)

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "V（辞書形）＋ばかりだ / 一方だ" indicates a continuous trend or tendency in a particular direction. It is used to express a change or process that is ongoing or has been ongoing for a while. The dictionary form of the verb is used to emphasize the change or process. 'Bakari da' is often used to express a negative trend, while 'Ippo da' is used for both positive and negative changes. The pattern is often used to describe a situation that is getting worse or better over time. It can also be used to express a contrast between two situations or states.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Dictionary form of the verb (e.g., -u form)	V（辞書形）＋ばかりだ / 一方だ	上がる（agaru）
Dictionary form of the verb (e.g., -u form)	V（辞書形）＋ばかりだ / 一方だ	悪くなる（warukunaru）
Dictionary form of the verb (e.g., -u form)	V（辞書形）＋ばかりだ / 一方だ	増える（fukau）

Examples

Example Sentences

最近、ガソリンの価格が上がるばかりで、家計を圧迫している。

Saikin, Gasorin no kakuho ga agaru bakari de, Iekei o assurenai desu.

Recently, the price of gasoline has been increasing, which is putting a lot of pressure on our household budget.

最近（saikin）- recently, ガソリンの価格（Gasorin no kakuho）- the price of gasoline,上がる（agaru）- is increasing, ばかり（bakari）- only, で（de）- because, 家計（iekei）- household budget, を（o）- to, 圧迫している（asurenai desu）- is being put under pressure

手術をしたのに、祖父の容体は悪くなる一方で、家族はとても心配している。

Shujutsu o shita no ni, Sōji no yōtai wa warukunaru ippō de, Kazoku wa totemo kanpai shite iru.

Even after the surgery, Grandfather's condition is getting worse, and the family is very worried.

手術をした（shujutsu o shita）- even after the surgery, 祖父（sōji）- Grandfather, の（no）- of, 容体（yōtai）- condition, は（wa）- is, 悪くなる（warukunaru）- is getting worse, 一方（ippō）- on the other hand, で（de）- because, 家族（kazoku）- family, は（wa）- is, とても（totemo）- very, 心配している（kanpai shite iru）- is worried

一度壊れてしまった人間関係は、悪化するばかりで、関係者の間で大きな問題となっている。

Ichido kowarete shimatta ningen kankei wa, warukunaru bakari de, Kankei no mono no aida de ōkina mondai to natteta.

The relationship between people has been deteriorating, and it has become a major problem among the people involved.

一度（ichido）- once,壊れてしまった（kowarete shimatta）- has been broken, 人間関係（ningen kankei）- relationship between people, は（wa）- is, 悪化する（warukunaru）- is deteriorating, ばかり（bakari）- only, で（de）- because, 関係者の間（kankei no mono no aida）- among the people involved, で（de）- because, 大きな問題となっている（ōkina mondai to natteta）- has become a major problem

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to express a change or process that is ongoing or has been ongoing for a while. It is often used to describe a situation that is getting worse or better over time. 'Bakari da' is often used to express a negative trend, while 'Ippo da' is used for both positive and negative changes. The pattern can also be used to express a contrast between two situations or states.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using the -ta form of the verb instead of the dictionary form.

Use the dictionary form of the verb (e.g., -u form).

The -ta form is used to express a completed action, while the dictionary form is used to express a change or process.

Using 'Bakari da' for a positive trend.

Use 'Ippo da' for a positive trend.

'Bakari da' is often used to express a negative trend, while 'Ippo da' is used for both positive and negative changes.

Using state verbs instead of change-action verbs.

Use change-action verbs (e.g., -u form).

State verbs are used to express a static situation, while change-action verbs are used to express a change or process.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Pay attention to the context and the verb form used. Make sure to use the dictionary form of the verb and the correct particle (e.g., 'Bakari da' or 'Ippo da').

In context