N2Cause & Reason

N + をきっかけに（して）

Q: Is "Using 'ni shite wa' (for a...) instead of 'N + をきっかけに（して）'" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'N + をきっかけに（して）' to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.". 'ni shite wa' is used to describe a means or a method, while 'N + をきっかけに（して）' is used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

Q: Is "Using 'te kara' (since) for a cause-and-effect relationship" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'N + をきっかけに（して）' to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.". 'te kara' is used to describe a simple chronological order, while 'N + をきっかけに（して）' is used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

Q: Is "Using 'o tsuujite' (throughout/via) for a cause-and-effect relationship" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'N + をきっかけに（して）' to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.". 'o tsuujite' is used to describe a means or a method, while 'N + をきっかけに（して）' is used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

With ... as a start/motivation

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "N + をきっかけに（して）" indicates that an event or action served as the direct motivation or starting point for a subsequent change or new activity. This pattern is often used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship between two events, where the first event triggers a change or a new activity. It can be used in both formal and informal writing, but it's more common in formal writing. The nuance of this pattern is that it emphasizes the causal relationship between the two events, making it clear that one event led to the other.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Noun or pronoun	N + をきっかけに（して）	病気をしたことから
Verb in the past tense	N + をきっかけに（して）過去形	日本のアニメを見たことから日本語を勉強し始めた
Verb in the past tense with して	N + をきっかけにして	病気をしたことから健康のために毎日走ることにした

Examples

Example Sentences

日本のアニメを見たことから日本語を勉強し始めた。

Nihon no anime o mita koto kara nihongo o benkyou shi hajimeta.

After watching Japanese anime, I started studying Japanese.

日本のアニメを見たこと (watched Japanese anime) + から (because) + 日本語を勉強し始めた (started studying Japanese)

病気をしたことから健康のために毎日走ることにした。

Byouki o shita koto kara kenkō no tame ni mainichi hashiru koto ni shita.

After getting sick, I decided to run every day for my health.

病気をしたこと (got sick) + から (because) + 健康のために毎日走ることにした (decided to run every day for my health)

引っ越しをしたことから古い家具を全部捨てた。

Hikkoshi o shita koto kara furui kagu o subete sute ta.

After moving, I got rid of all the old furniture.

引っ越しをしたこと (moved) + から (because) + 古い家具を全部捨てた (got rid of all the old furniture)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship between two events. It's often used in formal writing, such as essays or reports. It can be used with any type of verb, but it's more common with verbs that indicate a change or a new activity. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with 'ni shite wa' (for a...), which is used to describe a means or a method. Also, don't use this pattern for simple chronological order, use 'te kara' instead.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using 'ni shite wa' (for a...) instead of 'N + をきっかけに（して）'

Use 'N + をきっかけに（して）' to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

'ni shite wa' is used to describe a means or a method, while 'N + をきっかけに（して）' is used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

Using 'te kara' (since) for a cause-and-effect relationship

Use 'N + をきっかけに（して）' to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

'te kara' is used to describe a simple chronological order, while 'N + をきっかけに（して）' is used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

Using 'o tsuujite' (throughout/via) for a cause-and-effect relationship

Use 'N + をきっかけに（して）' to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

'o tsuujite' is used to describe a means or a method, while 'N + をきっかけに（して）' is used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

When using this pattern on the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct verb form and to emphasize the causal relationship between the two events. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with other similar patterns.

Related Patterns

N + を通じてThis pattern is used to describe a means or a method, rather than a cause-and-effect relationship.

In context