Grammar Patterns
Learn how and when to use each grammar pattern, with example sentences.
Random practice～は～です — A is B
N5Basic polite sentence: stating what something is.
は vs が — Topic vs Subject Marker
N5The classic beginner question: when to use は and when to use が.
は vs が — Topic vs Subject
N5When to use は and when to use が.
～を — Direct object
N5Marks the object of an action.
～に — Time, destination, target
N5Particle に for time points, destinations, and indirect objects.
～で — Place of action, means
N5で marks where an action happens or the tool/means used.
～ます form — Polite verbs
N5Polite present/future, negative, and past verb forms.
～たい — Want to do
N5Express your own desire to do something.
～ましょう — Let's
N5Suggest doing something together.
～てください — Please do
N5Polite request using the て-form.
～ています — Progressive / state
N5Ongoing action or resulting state.
～ない — Plain negative
N5Plain negative form of verbs.
い・な adjectives
N5Using い-adjectives and な-adjectives.
～があります／います — Existence
N5Saying something exists.
～から～まで — From … to …
N5Starting and ending points of time or place.
～と・も — And, with, also
N5と connects nouns or marks companion; も means also.
～から — Because
N5Gives a reason.
～たい form — Expressing desire
N4How to say you want to do something.
～てもいい — May I / It's OK to
N4Ask or give permission.
～てはいけない — Must not
N4Prohibition.
～なければならない — Must
N4Obligation.
Potential form — can do
N4Express ability: 食べられる, 行ける.
Volitional ～よう / ～おう
N4Let's / I will (plain).
～たり～たりする — Doing things like
N4Lists representative actions.
～たことがある — Have experienced
N4Past experience.
～ば — If (conditional)
N4Conditional ば form.
～たら — If / When
N4Conditional using た-form + ら.
～と思う — I think that
N4Express an opinion.
Passive form ～られる
N4Being acted upon.
Causative ～させる
N4Make or let someone do.
～そうだ — Looks like / I hear
N4Two meanings: appearance and hearsay.
あげる・くれる・もらう — Giving and receiving
N4Three verbs of giving/receiving.
～てあげる／てくれる／てもらう
N4Doing favors.
～ようにする — Make an effort to
N3Try to make a habit.
～ことにする／ことになる — Decide / It was decided
N3Personal decision vs. external decision.
～はずだ — Should / Ought to be
N3Expectation based on grounds.
～つもり — Intend to
N3Plans and intentions.
～ように — So that / In order to
N3Purpose.
～のに — Even though / Despite
N3Unexpected contrast.
～ばよかった — Should have
N3Regret.
～らしい — Apparently / Typical of
N3Hearsay/evidence or 'befitting'.
～ようだ／みたいだ — Seems like
N3Judgment based on observation.
～について — About
N3Topic of discussion.
～てしまう — Completely / Regret
N3Completion or unfortunate result.
～ておく — Do in advance
N3Preparation.
～ていく／てくる — Direction/change
N3Movement or change over time.
～わけだ／わけではない — That's why / Not that
N2Explains reasoning or softens a negation.
～に関して — Regarding
N2Formal 'concerning'.
～によって — Depending on / By
N2Dependence, cause, or agent.
～として — As
N2Capacity or role.
～だけに／だけあって — Precisely because
N2Result fits expectations.
～ば～ほど — The more…the more
N2Proportional increase.
～に違いない — Must be
N2Strong conviction.
～がち — Tend to
N2Undesirable tendency.
～ながら — While / Even though
N2Simultaneous actions or concession.
～ざるを得ない — Have no choice but
N1Forced to do.
～に足る — Worthy of
N1Deserving.
～ながらも — Although
N1Concession (formal).
～こそ — Precisely / Indeed
N1Emphasizes the word.
～ところを — At a time when
N1Polite imposition in a situation.
～つつ／つつある — While / Is in the process
N1Simultaneous or gradual change.
～や否や — As soon as
N1Immediately after.
～を余儀なくされる — Forced to
N1Compelled by circumstances.