JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
start and stop/about to
Category: Compound Verbs and Completion
The grammar pattern 'V-stem + かける' is used to indicate that an action has started but is not yet finished, or that someone was just about to do something. This pattern often describes an incomplete state, emphasizing the action's incompleteness rather than its completion. For example, 'yomikakeru' (start reading but stop midway) or 'hanasakeru' (start speaking but stop suddenly). This pattern is commonly used in situations where the action is interrupted or abandoned before completion.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-stem (動詞の基本形) | V-stem + かける | 読み (yomi) + かける (kakeru) = 読みかける (yomikakeru) |
| V-stem (動詞の基本形) + て | V-stem + て + かける | 読む (yomu) + て + かける (kakeru) = 読んでかける (yomondekakeru) |
| V-stem (動詞の基本形) + て + しまう | V-stem + て + しまう | 読む (yomu) + て + しまう (shimau) = 読んでしまう (yomonde shimau) |
机の上に、読みかけてある本が置いてある。
tsukue no ue ni, yomikakeru hon ga oite aru.
There's a book that was about to be read on the desk.
机の上に (on the desk), 読みかけてある (about to be read)
彼は何かを言いかけて、結局やめてしまった。
kare wa nanika o iikakeru, tsukitte yamete shimatta.
He started to say something, but eventually gave up.
何かを (something), 言いかけて (about to say), 結局 (eventually), やめてしまった (gave up)
道で倒れかけていた人を助けた。
michi de tsuburekakeru hito o tasuketa.
I helped the person who was about to fall on the road.
道で (on the road), 倒れかけて (about to fall)
彼女は料理を始めかけて、思いとどまってしまった。
kanojo wa ryouri o hajimekakeru, omoi todomatte shimatta.
She started to cook, but then stopped herself.
料理を (cooking), 始めかけて (about to start), 思いとどまって (stopped herself)
This pattern is used to describe an action that is in progress but not yet completed. It's often used in situations where the action is interrupted or abandoned before completion. The pattern can be used in formal or informal situations, but it's more commonly used in informal conversations.
The key difference between 'hajimeru' and 'V-stem + かける' is that 'hajimeru' focuses on the start of an action, while 'V-stem + かける' emphasizes the action's incompleteness.
The meaning of 'kakeru' can vary depending on the context, but in the case of 'V-stem + かける', it specifically means 'to start but not yet complete'.
The key difference between 'sou da' and 'V-stem + かける' is that 'sou da' describes a visual impression, while 'V-stem + かける' describes an action that is in progress but not yet completed.
When using 'V-stem + かける' in the JLPT exam, make sure to use it correctly to describe an action that is in progress but not yet completed. Avoid confusing it with other patterns or using it to mean something else.
机の上に、読み______の本が置いてある。
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