N410 patterns

N4 Grammar: Appearance & Conjecture

Expressing appearance, hearsay, probability, and conjecture with sou, rashii, you, mitai

Practice N4 grammar All N4 Grammar

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Every N4 appearance & conjecture pattern

What each pattern means, when to use it, and the mistakes that cost marks in the exam.

Plain Form / N / Adj + でしょうprobably; right?

Used to express probability or to ask for the listener's agreement. It is the polite version of 'darou'. When used as a question with rising intonation, it seeks confirmation.

Common mistakes

Using 'deshou' when you are 100% certain (use 'desu' instead)
Confusing it with 'kamoshirenai' (deshou is higher probability)
Using 'da' before 'deshou' (incorrect)

Full Plain Form / N / Adj + でしょう guide

Plain Form + はずだ / N + のはずだ / Na-adj + なはずだit should be; I expect that

Used when the speaker is confident in their expectation based on logical reasons or objective facts. It means 'according to the situation, it is natural that...'.

Common mistakes

Using it for things you aren't sure about (use 'deshou' or 'kamoshirenai' instead)
Forgetting 'no' for nouns or 'na' for na-adjectives
Using it for someone's internal will or intention

Full Plain Form + はずだ / N + のはずだ / Na-adj + なはずだ guide

Plain Form + はずがないit cannot be; impossible

A strong negative conjecture meaning 'there is no way that...' or 'it's impossible that...'. It is the negative counterpart of 'hazu da' and expresses strong denial based on logic.

Common mistakes

Confusing with 'nai hazu da' (which is just 'I expect that ... is not true')
Using it for things that are just 'unlikely' (this is a very strong 'impossible')
Forgetting the connection rules (same as 'hazu da')

Full Plain Form + はずがない guide

Plain Form / N / Adj + かもしれないmight; perhaps

Expresses a possibility that something might happen or be true. The probability is lower than 'deshou' (around 50% or less). In casual speech, it is often shortened to 'kamo'.

Common mistakes

Forgetting it follows the plain form
Confusing with 'deshou' (which implies more certainty)
Using 'da' after nouns or na-adjectives (incorrectly adding 'da' before 'kamoshirenai')

Full Plain Form / N / Adj + かもしれない guide

Plain Form / N / Na-adj + みたいだlike; similar to; seems like

A casual version of 'you da'. It is used for conjectures based on appearance or for comparisons. Note that unlike 'you da', it attaches directly to nouns and na-adjectives without 'no' or 'na'.

Common mistakes

Using 'no' or 'na' before 'mitai' (incorrectly applying 'you da' rules)
Using it in very formal writing
Confusing the meaning with 'typical of' (which is 'rashii')

Full Plain Form / N / Na-adj + みたいだ guide

N ＋のような＋ N ／ N ＋のように＋ V/AdjLike / In the manner of...

Used to create similes or comparisons. のような modifies the following noun, whereas のように modifies the following verb or adjective. Always requires の after the comparison noun.

Common mistakes

Omitting the の particle after the noun
Confusing のような (noun modifier) with のように (adverbial modifier)
Using the plain form of a verb instead of a noun as the basis

Full N ＋のような＋ N ／ N ＋のように＋ V/Adj guide

Plain Form / N / Adj + らしいit seems that; I heard that; typical of

Expresses a conjecture based on objective information or hearsay. It implies the speaker has some evidence for their statement. When used with nouns, it can also mean 'very much like' or 'typical of'.

Common mistakes

Confusing with 'mitai' (rashii is more objective/hearsay-based)
Using 'da' before 'rashii' (unlike 'sou' hearsay, 'rashii' attaches directly to nouns)
Overusing it for personal feelings

Full Plain Form / N / Adj + らしい guide

V-ます stem + そうだ / い-Adj (-い) + そうだ / な-Adj (-な) + そうだit looks like; seems like

Used to describe the appearance of something based on visual evidence at the moment. For verbs, it indicates something is about to happen. Note that it is NOT used for obvious characteristics (e.g., calling a red apple 'red-looking').

Common mistakes

Using the plain form of the verb (that would be hearsay)
Using it for things that are already obviously true (e.g., 'Kono ringo wa akasou desu')
Forgetting to remove 'i' from i-adjectives

Full V-ます stem + そうだ / い-Adj (-い) + そうだ / な-Adj (-な) + そうだ guide

Plain Form + そうだI heard that; they say that

Used to report information obtained from another source like news, books, or other people. It is often used with '～によると' (according to) to specify the source.

Common mistakes

Confusing it with appearance 'sou' which uses the verb stem
Forgetting to use 'da' after nouns or na-adjectives before 'sou'
Mistakenly using it for one's own first-hand observations

Full Plain Form + そうだ guide

Plain Form + ようだ / N + のようだ / Na-adj + なようだit seems like; looks like

Expresses a conjecture based on the speaker's own senses (sight, smell, hearing) or reasoning. It is more formal than 'mitai da'. It is also used for metaphors (like/as).

Common mistakes

Forgetting 'no' between a noun and 'you'
Forgetting 'na' between a na-adjective and 'you'
Confusing with 'sou' (appearance) which is purely visual and immediate

Full Plain Form + ようだ / N + のようだ / Na-adj + なようだ guide

Other N4 Grammar Categories

Time & Sequence Conditionals Voice & Causative Giving & Receiving Intentions & Decisions Commands & Obligations Compound Verbs State & Preparation Particles & Connectors Degree & Limits Expressions Purpose Honorifics Ability

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Every N4 appearance & conjecture pattern

What each pattern means, when to use it, and the mistakes that cost marks in the exam.

Plain Form / N / Adj + でしょうprobably; right?

Used to express probability or to ask for the listener's agreement. It is the polite version of 'darou'. When used as a question with rising intonation, it seeks confirmation.

Common mistakes

Using 'deshou' when you are 100% certain (use 'desu' instead)
Confusing it with 'kamoshirenai' (deshou is higher probability)
Using 'da' before 'deshou' (incorrect)

Full Plain Form / N / Adj + でしょう guide

Plain Form + はずだ / N + のはずだ / Na-adj + なはずだit should be; I expect that

Used when the speaker is confident in their expectation based on logical reasons or objective facts. It means 'according to the situation, it is natural that...'.

Common mistakes

Using it for things you aren't sure about (use 'deshou' or 'kamoshirenai' instead)
Forgetting 'no' for nouns or 'na' for na-adjectives
Using it for someone's internal will or intention

Full Plain Form + はずだ / N + のはずだ / Na-adj + なはずだ guide

Plain Form + はずがないit cannot be; impossible

A strong negative conjecture meaning 'there is no way that...' or 'it's impossible that...'. It is the negative counterpart of 'hazu da' and expresses strong denial based on logic.

Common mistakes

Confusing with 'nai hazu da' (which is just 'I expect that ... is not true')
Using it for things that are just 'unlikely' (this is a very strong 'impossible')
Forgetting the connection rules (same as 'hazu da')

Full Plain Form + はずがない guide

Plain Form / N / Adj + かもしれないmight; perhaps

Expresses a possibility that something might happen or be true. The probability is lower than 'deshou' (around 50% or less). In casual speech, it is often shortened to 'kamo'.

Common mistakes

Forgetting it follows the plain form
Confusing with 'deshou' (which implies more certainty)
Using 'da' after nouns or na-adjectives (incorrectly adding 'da' before 'kamoshirenai')

Full Plain Form / N / Adj + かもしれない guide

Plain Form / N / Na-adj + みたいだlike; similar to; seems like

A casual version of 'you da'. It is used for conjectures based on appearance or for comparisons. Note that unlike 'you da', it attaches directly to nouns and na-adjectives without 'no' or 'na'.

Common mistakes

Using 'no' or 'na' before 'mitai' (incorrectly applying 'you da' rules)
Using it in very formal writing
Confusing the meaning with 'typical of' (which is 'rashii')

Full Plain Form / N / Na-adj + みたいだ guide

N ＋のような＋ N ／ N ＋のように＋ V/AdjLike / In the manner of...

Used to create similes or comparisons. のような modifies the following noun, whereas のように modifies the following verb or adjective. Always requires の after the comparison noun.

Common mistakes

Omitting the の particle after the noun
Confusing のような (noun modifier) with のように (adverbial modifier)
Using the plain form of a verb instead of a noun as the basis

Full N ＋のような＋ N ／ N ＋のように＋ V/Adj guide

Plain Form / N / Adj + らしいit seems that; I heard that; typical of

Common mistakes

Confusing with 'mitai' (rashii is more objective/hearsay-based)
Using 'da' before 'rashii' (unlike 'sou' hearsay, 'rashii' attaches directly to nouns)
Overusing it for personal feelings

Full Plain Form / N / Adj + らしい guide

V-ます stem + そうだ / い-Adj (-い) + そうだ / な-Adj (-な) + そうだit looks like; seems like

Common mistakes

Using the plain form of the verb (that would be hearsay)
Using it for things that are already obviously true (e.g., 'Kono ringo wa akasou desu')
Forgetting to remove 'i' from i-adjectives

Full V-ます stem + そうだ / い-Adj (-い) + そうだ / な-Adj (-な) + そうだ guide

Plain Form + そうだI heard that; they say that

Used to report information obtained from another source like news, books, or other people. It is often used with '～によると' (according to) to specify the source.

Common mistakes

Confusing it with appearance 'sou' which uses the verb stem
Forgetting to use 'da' after nouns or na-adjectives before 'sou'
Mistakenly using it for one's own first-hand observations

Full Plain Form + そうだ guide

Plain Form + ようだ / N + のようだ / Na-adj + なようだit seems like; looks like

Expresses a conjecture based on the speaker's own senses (sight, smell, hearing) or reasoning. It is more formal than 'mitai da'. It is also used for metaphors (like/as).

Common mistakes

Forgetting 'no' between a noun and 'you'
Forgetting 'na' between a na-adjective and 'you'
Confusing with 'sou' (appearance) which is purely visual and immediate

Full Plain Form + ようだ / N + のようだ / Na-adj + なようだ guide

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N4 Grammar: Appearance & Conjecture

Appearance & Conjecture

Every N4 appearance & conjecture pattern

Plain Form / N / Adj + でしょうprobably; right?

Plain Form + はずだ / N + のはずだ / Na-adj + なはずだit should be; I expect that

Plain Form + はずがないit cannot be; impossible

Plain Form / N / Adj + かもしれないmight; perhaps

Plain Form / N / Na-adj + みたいだlike; similar to; seems like

N ＋ のような ＋ N ／ N ＋ のように ＋ V/AdjLike / In the manner of...

Plain Form / N / Adj + らしいit seems that; I heard that; typical of

V-ます stem + そうだ / い-Adj (-い) + そうだ / な-Adj (-な) + そうだit looks like; seems like

Plain Form + そうだI heard that; they say that

Plain Form + ようだ / N + のようだ / Na-adj + なようだit seems like; looks like

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N4 Grammar: Appearance & Conjecture

Appearance & Conjecture

Every N4 appearance & conjecture pattern

Plain Form / N / Adj + でしょうprobably; right?

Plain Form + はずだ / N + のはずだ / Na-adj + なはずだit should be; I expect that

Plain Form + はずがないit cannot be; impossible

Plain Form / N / Adj + かもしれないmight; perhaps

Plain Form / N / Na-adj + みたいだlike; similar to; seems like

N ＋ のような ＋ N ／ N ＋ のように ＋ V/AdjLike / In the manner of...

Plain Form / N / Adj + らしいit seems that; I heard that; typical of

V-ます stem + そうだ / い-Adj (-い) + そうだ / な-Adj (-な) + そうだit looks like; seems like

Plain Form + そうだI heard that; they say that

Plain Form + ようだ / N + のようだ / Na-adj + なようだit seems like; looks like

Other N4 Grammar Categories

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N ＋のような＋ N ／ N ＋のように＋ V/AdjLike / In the manner of...

N ＋のような＋ N ／ N ＋のように＋ V/AdjLike / In the manner of...