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to my (surprise/regret etc.)
Definition
This grammar pattern is used to emphasize the speaker's emotion regarding a fact that follows. It highlights that the event was particularly surprising, sad, or fortunate. The pattern consists of a verb in the past tense, followed by 'ことに' (koto ni), an adjective in the -i or -na form, and the particle 'な' (na). The sentence can be used to express surprise, regret, or happiness, and is often used at the start of a sentence or clause.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb-past | Verb-past + に + ことに | 驚いた (surprised) |
| Adj-i | Adj-i + な + ことに | 驚く (surprising) |
| Adj-na | Adj-na + な + ことに | 残念な (regrettable) |
Examples
驚いたことに、彼女は初めての試験で合格した。
Suruita koto ni, kare wa ichido no shiken de kōkaku shita.
To my surprise, she passed the first exam.
驚いた (surprised) + ことに (to my surprise) + 彼女は (she) + 初めての (first) + 試験で (exam) + 合格した (passed)
残念なことに、今日の試合は雨で中止になった。
Zannen na koto ni, kyō no taikai wa ame de chūshi ni natta.
Unfortunately, today's game was cancelled due to rain.
残念な (regrettable) + ことに (unfortunately) + 今日の (today's) + 試合は (game) + 雨で (due to rain) + 中止になった (was cancelled)
うれしいことに、娘が第一志望の大学に合格した。
Ureii na koto ni, musume ga daiichi shibō no daigaku ni kōkaku shita.
Fortunately, my daughter passed the entrance exam to her first-choice university.
うれしい (fortunate) + ことに (fortunately) + 娘が (my daughter) + 第一志望の (first-choice) + 大学に (university) + 合格した (passed)
驚くことに、彼は一度も練習せずに優勝した。
Surū koto ni, kare wa ichido mo renshu sezu ni yūshō shita.
To my surprise, he won without any practice.
驚く (surprising) + ことに (to my surprise) + 彼は (he) + 一度も (without any) + 練習せずに (without practice) + 優勝した (won)
Context
This pattern is used to emphasize the speaker's emotion regarding a fact that follows. It is often used at the start of a sentence or clause. The verb in the past tense should be used to describe the event that caused the emotion. This pattern can be used to express surprise, regret, or happiness.
Watch out
The verb in the past tense should be used to describe the event that caused the emotion. Using the present tense will change the meaning of the sentence.
The particle 'ことに' is used to emphasize the speaker's emotion, while 'koto da' is used to give advice or commands.
Na-adjectives require the particle 'な' to be used correctly.
Strategy
Pay attention to the verb tense and the use of the particle 'ことに'. Make sure to use the correct form of the adjective and the particle 'な'.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows Verb-past + ことに / Adj-i + ことに / Adj-na + な + ことに used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
驚いたことに、彼は一度も練習せずに優勝した。
Pattern used: ことに
Koto ni emphasizes the speaker's surprise at the fact that follows.
残念なことに、今日の試合は雨で中止になった。
Pattern used: なことに
Na-adjectives like 'zannen' require 'na' before 'koto ni'.
うれしいことに、娘が第一志望の大学に合格した。
Pattern used: ことに
Koto ni is used here to lead with the speaker's joy about their daughter's success.
Interactive
驚いた______、彼は一度も練習せずに優勝した。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.