JLPT N4 Grammar
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· Elementary
to continue doing
Category: Compound Verbs
The grammar pattern "V-ます + 続ける" is used to indicate that an action or state continues without interruption. It emphasizes the duration or the repetitive nature of the action. For example, "毎日日記を書く" (to write a diary every day) can be changed to "毎日日記を続ける" (to continue writing a diary every day), which implies that the action of writing a diary is ongoing. This pattern is often used to describe habits, routines, or ongoing situations.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masu-stem of a verb | V-ます + 続ける | 書く-ます + 続ける = 書き続ける |
| Masu-stem of a verb ending in -u | V-ます + 続ける (no change) | 続く-ます + 続ける = 続け続ける |
| Masu-stem of a verb ending in -iru | V-ます + 続ける (change -iru to -iru) | 続きる-ます + 続ける = 続け続ける |
難しいけれど、毎日日記を続けます。
muzukashikeredo, mainichi nikki o tsukemasu.
I will continue to write a diary every day, despite it being difficult.
毎日日記を書く (to write a diary every day) → 毎日日記を続ける (to continue writing a diary every day)
彼は3時間も勉強を続けます。
kare wa san-ji mo benkyou o tsukemasu.
He will continue to study for 3 hours.
勉強する (to study) → 勉強を続ける (to continue studying)
雨が続けば、試合が中止になります。
ame ga tsukemeba, shiai ga chūshin ni naru.
If it continues to rain, the game will be cancelled.
雨が降る (it's raining) → 雨が続く (it continues to rain)
毎日、彼女は読書を続けます。
mainichi, kanojo wa dokusho o tsukemasu.
She continues to read every day.
読書する (to read) → 読書を続ける (to continue reading)
This pattern is used to describe ongoing actions or states. It can be used in formal or informal situations. It is often used to describe habits, routines, or ongoing situations. It can be compared to the pattern "～ていく", which shows continuation from the perspective of the future.
For example, "毎日食事を続ける" (to continue eating every day) is correct, but "毎日食事を続ける" (to continue eating a meal) is not, because eating a meal is a one-time action.
For example, "明日から毎日勉強を続けます" (I will continue to study every day from tomorrow) uses ～ていく, but "毎日勉強を続けます" (I continue to study every day) uses V-ます + 続ける.
For example, "毎日勉強を続けます" (I continue to study every day) uses the transitive form of 'continue', but "毎日食事を続ける" (to continue eating every day) uses the intransitive form.
Pay attention to the context and the verb used. Make sure to use the correct form of 'continue' depending on the verb. Be careful not to confuse it with ～ていく.
難しいけれど、毎日日記を______つもりです。
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