JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
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Category: Compound Verbs and Completion
The grammar pattern "V-stem + 続ける" is used to indicate that an action or state continues without interruption. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the activity over a period of time. This pattern is often used to describe continuous actions, habits, or states that persist despite obstacles or challenges. For example, "雨は昨夜から降り続けています" means "It has been raining since last night," highlighting the continuous nature of the rain.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-stem | V-stem + 続ける | 雨 (amai) + 続ける (tsuzukeru) |
| V-stem (te-form) | V-stem (te-form) + 続ける | 雨 (amai-te) + 続ける (tsuzukeru) |
| V-stem (ta-form) | V-stem (ta-form) + 続ける | 雨 (amai-ta) + 続ける (tsuzukeru) |
雨は昨夜から降り続けています。
Ame wa kinō kara furitsuzukete imasu.
It has been raining since last night.
雨 (ame) = rain, 昨夜 (kinō) = last night, 降り (furi) = to rain, 続けて (tsuzukete) = to continue, います (imasu) = am/is/are
彼は諦めずに努力し続けています。
Kare wa akiramezu ni doryoku shi tsuzukete imasu.
He continues to work hard without giving up.
彼 (kare) = he, 諦めず (akiramezu) = without giving up, 努力 (doryoku) = effort, し (shi) = to do, 続けて (tsuzukete) = to continue, います (imasu) = am/is/are
3時間も電話で話し続けて、のどが痛くなった。
San-ji mo denwa de hanashi tsuzukete, nodoga itakunatta.
I talked on the phone for 3 hours and my throat got sore.
3時間 (san-ji) = 3 hours, 電話 (denwa) = phone, で (de) = by means of, 話し (hanashi) = to talk, 続けて (tsuzukete) = to continue, のど (nodo) = throat, が (ga) = subject marker, 痛く (itaku) = to be sore, なった (natta) = became
This pattern is used to describe continuous actions or states that persist over time. It is often used in formal or polite language. In informal language, the pattern "V-stem + している" is more commonly used. This pattern can be used in both positive and negative sentences.
Momentary verbs like 'shinu' (die) or 'ochiru' (fall) describe actions that are completed in an instant, so they cannot be used with the pattern "V-stem + 続ける".
'Nuku' implies finishing an action despite difficulties, whereas "V-stem + 続ける" describes an ongoing action or state.
Stative verbs like 'iru' (to be) or 'aru' (to exist) describe states that do not change over time, so they cannot be used with the pattern "V-stem + 続ける".
In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often used in reading comprehension questions to describe continuous actions or states. Pay attention to the context and the verb used to determine whether the pattern "V-stem + 続ける" is being used.
雨は昨夜から降り______います。
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