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so that / in order to
Definition
The grammar pattern "V(辞書形・ない形) + ように" is used to express purpose or intention when the goal is a state or something not entirely under direct control. This can include potential verbs, negative forms, or intransitive verbs. The pattern is often used to convey a sense of necessity or obligation, and can be translated to English as "so that" or "in order to". For example, "忘れないように" means "so that I won't forget" or "in order not to forget".
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form | V(辞書形) + ように | 忘れないように |
| Negative form | V(ない形) + ように | 話さないように |
| Potential form | V(可能形) + ように | 来るように |
Examples
後ろの人にも大きな声で話してください。
Usiro no hito ni mo ōkina koe de hanashite kudasai.
Please speak loudly so that the person behind can hear.
後ろの人にも大きな声で話してください。 (usiro no hito ni mo ōkina koe de hanashite kudasai.)
忘れないようにメモを書いておきます。
Wasurenai yō ni memo o kaitte okimasu.
I'll write a memo so that I won't forget.
忘れないようにメモを書いておきます。 (wasurenai yō ni memo o kaitte okimasu.)
試験に合格するように毎日勉強しました。
Shiken ni gōka suru yō ni mainichi benkyō shimashita.
I studied every day so that I would pass the exam.
試験に合格するように毎日勉強しました。 (shiken ni gōka suru yō ni mainichi benkyō shimashita.)
雨の日は傘を持って出かけるようにします。
Ame no hi wa kasa o motsu to de dekakeru yō ni shimasu.
I'll go out with an umbrella on rainy days so that I won't get wet.
雨の日は傘を持って出かけるようにします。 (ame no hi wa kasa o motsu to de dekakeru yō ni shimasu.)
車の運転を覚えるように毎日練習します。
Kuruma no unten o oboeru yō ni mainichi renshū shimasu.
I practice driving every day so that I'll learn how to drive a car.
車の運転を覚えるように毎日練習します。 (kuruma no unten o oboeru yō ni mainichi renshū shimasu.)
Context
This pattern is used to express purpose or intention when the goal is a state or something not entirely under direct control. It is often used with potential verbs, negative forms, or intransitive verbs. In contrast, the pattern "V(辞書形) + ために" is used to express purpose or intention when the goal is a specific action or event. The pattern "V(ない形) + になる" is used to express a change of state.
Watch out
Volitional verbs (e.g. する, すること) are used to express a decision or intention, and require the pattern "V(辞書形) + ために" to express purpose or intention.
Nouns (e.g. 学校, 家) are not used with the pattern "V(辞書形) + ように", but rather with the pattern "V(辞書形) + のために" to express purpose or intention.
The pattern "V(ない形) + になる" is used to express a change of state, whereas the pattern "V(辞書形) + ように" is used to express purpose or intention.
Strategy
When using this pattern on the JLPT exam, be sure to use the correct verb form (dictionary form, negative form, or potential form) and to choose the correct word to express purpose or intention. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with other similar patterns, such as "V(辞書形) + ために" or "V(ない形) + になる".
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V(辞書形・ない形) + ように used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
後ろの人にも聞こえるように、大きな声で話してください。
Pattern used: 聞こえるように
'聞こえる' is a non-volitional potential verb, which requires 'ように' to express purpose.
忘れないように、メモを書いておきます。
Pattern used: ように
Negative verb forms (ない形) always take 'ように' instead of 'ために' for purpose.
試験に合格できるように、毎日遅くまで復習しました。
Pattern used: 合格できるように
Potential verbs like '合格できる' are used with 'ように' to express the desired state of being able to pass.
Interactive
後ろの人にも______、大きな声で話してください。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.