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as / like / in the manner of
Definition
The grammar pattern "V(Plain) + ように / N + のように" is used to express that an action is performed in the same way as something else or according to an instruction. It can follow the plain form of verbs or 'Noun + の'. This pattern is often used to describe a manner or method of doing something, and it can be used in formal or informal situations. For example, "田中さんが言ったように、明日は8時に集合してください" means "As Mr. Tanaka said, please gather at 8 o'clock tomorrow". The nuance of this pattern is to convey a sense of following someone's instructions or doing something in the same way as someone else.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Verb Form | V(Plain) + ように | 食べるように、水を飲みました |
| Noun + の | N + のように | 先生のように、勉強を頑張ってください |
| Noun + の | N + のように | 彼女のように、優しく接してください |
Examples
田中さんが言ったように、明日は8時に集合してください。
Tanaka-san ga itta yō ni, ashita wa 8-ji ni shūgō shite kudasai.
As Mr. Tanaka said, please gather at 8 o'clock tomorrow.
田中さんが言ったように (As Mr. Tanaka said) + 明日は8時に集合してください (please gather at 8 o'clock tomorrow)
忘れないように、ノートにメモを書いておきました。
Wasurenai yō ni, nōto ni memo o kaitte okimashita.
In order not to forget, I wrote a memo on the notebook.
忘れないように (in order not to forget) + ノートにメモを書いておきました (I wrote a memo on the notebook)
彼はまるで子供のよう泣いています。
Kare wa marude kodomo no yō ni naitte imasu.
He is crying like a child.
彼はまるで (he is like) + 子供のよう (like a child) + 泣いています (is crying)
Context
This pattern is used to express a manner or method of doing something, and it can be used in formal or informal situations. It is often used to describe how someone does something, or to convey a sense of following someone's instructions. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with 〜ために (purpose), as they have different meanings. For example, "私は本を読むために来ました" means "I came to read a book", while "私は本を読むように言われました" means "I was told to read a book".
Watch out
The particle 'の' is necessary to indicate the noun that is being used to describe the manner or method.
〜ために is used to express purpose, while "V(Plain) + ように / N + のように" is used to express manner or method.
〜みたい is a colloquial pattern that is used to express a similar idea, while "V(Plain) + ように / N + のように" is a more formal pattern.
Strategy
In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often tested in the reading comprehension section. Be sure to pay attention to the context and the meaning of the sentence to choose the correct answer.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V(Plain) + ように / N + のように used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
田中さんが言ったように、明日は8時に集合してください。
Pattern used: ように
Used to indicate that the action (gathering) should be done 'as' or 'according to' what Tanaka said.
忘れないように、ノートにメモを書いておきました。
Pattern used: ように
〜ように is used with the negative form to express purpose or 'so that', whereas 〜ために is used with volitional verbs.
彼はまるで子供のように泣いています。
Pattern used: ように
The pattern 'Noun + のように' is the standard way to express similarity in formal/neutral Japanese.
Interactive
田中さんが言った______、明日は8時に集合してください。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.