JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
Search pages and navigate
· Intermediate
to make it a rule to
Category: Rules and Decisions
The grammar pattern "V-dictionary/V-nai + にことにしている" is used to express a personal habit or a rule that the speaker has decided for themselves and continues to follow. This emphasizes the speaker's ongoing effort or intention. For example, "毎日寝る前に、30分本を読むことにしている" means 'I have decided to read a book for 30 minutes before going to bed every day.'
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form | V-dictionary + にことにしている | 食べにしている (I have decided to eat) |
| Nai form | V-nai + にことにしている | 食べないことにしている (I have decided not to eat) |
| Volitional form | V-ます + にことにしている | 食べますことにしている (I have decided to eat) |
毎日寝る前に、30分本を読むことにしている。
Mainichi neru mae ni, 30-fun hon o yomu koto ni shite iru.
I have decided to read a book for 30 minutes before going to bed every day.
毎日 (every day), 寝る前に (before going to bed), 30分 (30 minutes), 本 (book), 読む (to read), にことにしている (have decided to)
太らないように、夜8時以降は何も食べないことにしている。
Ossanai yō ni, yoru 8-ji ijo wa nanimo tabenai koto ni shite iru.
I have decided not to eat anything after 8 pm to lose weight.
太らないように (to lose weight), 夜8時以降 (after 8 pm), 何も (nothing), 食べない (not to eat), にことにしている (have decided to)
環境のために、買い物には自分のバッグを使用することにしている。
Kankyō no tame ni, kaimono ni wa jibun no baggu o shiyō suru koto ni shite iru.
I have decided to use my own bag when shopping for the environment.
環境のために (for the environment), 買い物 (shopping), 自分のバッグ (own bag), 使用する (to use), にことにしている (have decided to)
This pattern is used to express a personal habit or a rule that the speaker has decided for themselves and continues to follow. It emphasizes the speaker's ongoing effort or intention. This pattern is often used in formal or written Japanese.
The key difference is that 'koto ni shite iru' emphasizes the speaker's ongoing effort or intention, while 'koto ni natte iru' implies a public or general rule.
The simple 'suru' implies a one-time action, while 'shite iru' implies a repeated or ongoing action.
The key difference is that 'you ni shite iru' implies a tentative or uncertain intention, while 'ni shite iru' implies a firm decision or rule.
Pay attention to the context and the speaker's intention when using this pattern. Make sure to use the correct form and pattern to express the speaker's ongoing effort or intention.
毎日寝る前に、30分本を______。
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.