JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
over / throughout (a range of time or space)
Category: Relationships and Topics
The grammar pattern "名詞 + にわたって" is used to indicate that a situation covers a large scale or range in terms of time, area, or number of times. It emphasizes the scope or extent of the situation, rather than the specific duration or period. For example, "会議は３時間にわたって行われた" means that the meeting lasted for 3 hours, but the focus is on the fact that it covered a continuous period of 3 hours.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stative verb | N + にわたって | 会議は３時間にわたって行われた |
| Noun | N + にわたる + N | 関東地方の広い範囲にわたる雨が降るでしょう |
| Adjective | N + にわたって | この映画は１時間にわたって笑いを誘った |
会議は３時間にわたって行われた。
Kaigi wa 3-jikan niwatarete ikimashita.
The meeting lasted for 3 hours.
会議 (meeting) は 3 時間 にわたって 行われた (lasted for 3 hours)
関東地方の広い範囲にわたる雨が降るでしょう。
Kantō-chihō no hiroi han'i niwataru ame ga furu deshō.
It will rain over a wide area of the Kanto region.
関東地方 (Kanto region) の 広い範囲 (wide area) にわたる (covers) 雨が降る (rain falls)
１０回にわたるシリーズの講義が終わった。
10-kai niwataru shirīzu no kōgi ga owatta.
The 10-part series of lectures has ended.
１０回 (10 times) にわたる (covers) シリーズ (series) の 講義 (lectures) が 終わった (ended)
This pattern is used to emphasize the scope or extent of a situation. It is often used in formal or written language. In spoken language, it is often replaced with simpler expressions. Be careful not to confuse it with "〜を通じて", which means 'throughout' a specific period.
For example, "会議は３時間から５時間まで行われた" is correct, but "会議は３時間にわたって行われた" is not.
For example, "関東地方の広い範囲にわたる雨が降るでしょう" is correct, but "関東地方の広い範囲にわたって雨が降るでしょう" is not.
For example, "会議は３時間を通じて行われた" means 'the meeting lasted for 3 hours', but "会議は３時間にわたって行われた" emphasizes the scope of the meeting.
Pay attention to the formation rules and usage notes. Practice using this pattern in different contexts to get a feel for its nuances.
会議は３時間______行われた。
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