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As long as; to the extent
Definition
This grammar pattern indicates a condition or limit under which a certain state or action remains unchanged. It is used to express that as long as a certain condition continues, a specific state or action remains unchanged. The pattern can be used to describe a situation where a person will continue to do something as long as a certain condition is met.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain form Verb | V（辞書形・ている形・ない形）＋ 限り（は） | 体力が続く限り |
| Noun | N ＋ である ＋ 限り（は） | 学生である限り |
| Plain form Verb | V（辞書形・ている形・ない形）＋ 限り（は） | この契約書にサインしない限り |
Examples
体力が続く限り、この仕事を続けたいと思っています。
Karada ga tsuzuku kagiri, kono shigoto o tsuzuketai to omotte imasu.
As long as my energy lasts, I want to continue working.
体力が続く限り (as long as my energy lasts) / この仕事を続けたい (I want to continue working)
この契約書にサインしない限り、商品は受け取れません。
Kono keiyaku-sho ni sain shina kagiri, shouhin wa uketorarenai desu.
Without signing this contract, you will not receive the goods.
この契約書にサインしない限り (without signing this contract) / 商品は受け取れません (you will not receive the goods)
学生である限り、校則を守らなければならない。
Gakusei de aru kagiri, kousoku o mamora nakereba naranai.
As a student, I must follow the school rules.
学生である限り (as a student) / 校則を守らなければならない (I must follow the school rules)
Context
This pattern is used to express a condition or limit under which a certain state or action remains unchanged. It is often used in formal or written Japanese. The pattern can be used in a variety of contexts, including business, education, and everyday life.
Watch out
The pattern requires the use of the dictionary or present form of the verb, not the past tense.
The two phrases have different meanings and are used in different contexts.
'を限りに' is used to indicate the end of a period or a deadline, not a condition or limit.
Strategy
Pay attention to the use of the dictionary or present form of the verb and the correct use of '限りは' and 'である限り'.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V（辞書形・ている形・ない形）＋ 限り（は） / N ＋ である ＋ 限り（は） used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
体力が続く限りは、この仕事を続けたいと思っています。
Pattern used: 限りは
'限りは' indicates the condition (physical strength) that allows the action to continue.
この契約書にサインしない限りは、商品は受け取れません。
Pattern used: 限りは
'ない限りは' means 'unless/as long as you don't', setting a mandatory condition.
学生である限りは、校則を守らなければならない。
Pattern used: である限りは
Noun + である限りは sets the condition based on one's status (student).
Interactive
体力が続く______、この仕事を続けたいと思っています。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.