N3 Grammar: Emphasis and Degree

Common mistakes

• Confusing 'V-te bakari' (doing nothing but) with 'V-ta bakari' (just finished doing)
• Using it for positive emphasis when 'dake' or 'nomi' is more neutral
• Incorrect particle placement when combined with 'o' or 'ga'

Common mistakes

• Forgetting to use 'na' for na-adjectives before 'bakari'
• Confusing with 'dake de naku' which is similar but slightly less formal
• Using it without the 'mo' in the following clause (though 'mo' is optional, it is common)

Common mistakes

• Mixing up with 'kurai' in proportional (the more... the more) sentences
• Forgetting the 'na' when using with na-adjectives
• Using it for a specific point in time instead of a degree

Common mistakes

• Using 'yori' instead of 'hodo' in a negative comparison
• Using a positive verb instead of a negative one
• Confusing the order of comparison

Common mistakes

• Confusing with 'dake' which expresses limitation rather than emphasis
• Using it in situations where 'sae' (even) would be more appropriate
• Incorrect placement after particles that it usually replaces

Common mistakes

• Confusing with 'goro' which is used for specific points in time
• Using 'hodo' in contexts where only a minimum level is implied
• Incorrectly using it with time durations without considering the nuance of 'approximately'

Common mistakes

• Confusing with 'made' used as a time limit (until)
• Using it when 'sae' is more natural for simple 'even'
• Confusing with 'made ni' which means 'by a certain time'

Common mistakes

• Confusing with 'ni kagatte' which means 'limited only to'
• Using it with verbs without nominalizing them first
• Mixing with 'bakari de naku' which is more for specific additions rather than general ranges

Common mistakes

• Incorrect particle order (e.g., sae ni instead of ni sae)
• Confusing with 'mo' which is less emphatic
• Using it with 'made' when only a single extreme example is intended