JLPT N1 — Grammar

JLPT N1 grammar includes approximately 200 patterns with a distinctive character: many are literary, classical, or from formal written Japanese (文語). This is the most challenging aspect of N1 — not just memorizing patterns but understanding the subtle distinctions between similar ones (which the exam tests extensively).

Formality levels used in this guide:

Literary (文語的): Found in classical texts, formal documents; rarely spoken
Formal written (書き言葉): Newspapers, essays, academic writing; not conversational
Formal spoken (改まった話し言葉): Business, speeches, official contexts
Spoken (話し言葉): Used in conversation too

Classical Japanese Influences (文語的表現)

These patterns come directly from classical Japanese (文語) or show strong classical influence. They appear in laws, formal announcements, set phrases, and literary texts.

1. 〜べし / 〜べく / 〜べき (classical must/should)

Level: Literary/Formal written
Meaning: Classical expression of obligation, expectation, or appropriateness. More emphatic and literary than 〜なければならない or 〜べきだ.

Forms:

Verb (dictionary) + べし/べく/べき
Noun + たるべし (for nouns — classical)
する → すべし (irregular)

Examples:

子たるべし、親の言葉に従うべし。— As one who is a child, one must follow a parent's words. (classical/literary)
すべからく学ぶべし。— One ought to study earnestly. (すべからく always goes with べし)
やるべきことをやれ。— Do what ought to be done. (modern use of べき)
一読すべき名著だ。— It is a masterpiece that should be read. (べき modifying noun)

Key nuance: 〜べし is the classical terminal form; 〜べき is attributive (modifies nouns); 〜べく is the conjunctive/adverbial form (in order to, so as to).

成功すべく努力する。— Work hard in order to succeed. (〜べく = in order to/so as to)

2. 〜ごとし / 〜ごとく (like; as though — classical comparison)

Level: Literary
Meaning: Classical equivalent of 〜ようだ (like, as though). Found in proverbs, formal writing, and classical texts.

Forms:

Verb (plain) / Noun + の + ごとし/ごとく/ごとき
ごとく = adverbial; ごとき = attributive; ごとし = terminal

Examples:

光陰矢のごとし。— Time flies like an arrow. (proverb)
夢のごとき日々だった。— Those days were like a dream. (ごとき modifying 日々)
水のごとく流れる。— Flows like water. (ごとく — adverbial)
かくのごとく述べた。— Stated as follows. (かくのごとく = thus/as follows)

3. 〜たる (classical perfect/stative attributive)

Level: Literary/Formal written
Meaning: Classical attributive form of 〜である (to be). Creates formal, often solemn attributive phrases. Often implies "one who truly is/was [that thing]."

Forms: Noun + たる + Noun

Examples:

堂々たる態度で臨んだ。— Approached with a dignified bearing. (堂々たる)
真のリーダーたるもの、責任を取るべきだ。— Those who are true leaders should take responsibility.
医師たる者の義務だ。— It is the duty of one who is a doctor.
万人が認める大作家たる彼。— He, who is a great author recognized by all.

Key N1 compound patterns: 堂々たる (dignified)、粛然たる (solemn)、泰然たる (composed)、悠然たる (leisurely)

4. 〜なり (classical copula / also "as soon as")

Level: Literary
Meaning: Two classical uses:

Classical copula: = だ/である (identifying or asserting)
As-soon-as meaning: V-た + なり = immediately after doing (the action continues/left that state)

Examples:

吾輩は猫なり。— I am a cat. (copula — classical literary opening)
帰ったなり、何も言わなかった。— Upon returning, he said nothing. (なり = after/as soon as, implying continuing state)
行ったなり戻ってこない。— Left and never came back. (left and remains in that state)

5. 〜にして (formal: being both ~ and; at the stage of)

Level: Formal written/Literary
Meaning: "Being ~ and at the same time ~" or "at the point of [age/stage]"

Forms: Noun + にして; also 〜てにして (rare)

Examples:

天才にして努力家だ。— A genius and also a hard worker.
30歳にしてその地位を得た。— Attained that position at age 30.
今にして思えば、あれが転機だった。— Now, thinking back, that was the turning point. (今にして = only now)
世界的な学者にして温かい人柄の持ち主だ。— A world-class scholar and at the same time a person of warm character.

6. 〜といえども / 〜とはいえ (although; even though — formal)

Level: Formal written/Formal spoken
Meaning: "Although it is said that ~; even granting that ~; nevertheless"

Forms:

〜といえども: Verb/Adj (plain) + といえども (more literary/classical)
〜とはいえ: more accessible in modern formal writing

Examples:

百聞は一見に如かずといえども、経験だけが全てではない。— Even though seeing is believing, experience alone is not everything.
優秀といえども、一人の力には限界がある。— Even if gifted, there is a limit to what one person can do.
規則とはいえ、融通が利かないのは問題だ。— Even though it's a rule, having no flexibility is problematic.
子供とはいえ、それは許せない行為だ。— Even for a child, that is an unacceptable act.

7. 〜ともあろう (for someone of one's standing to...)

Level: Formal spoken/Written
Meaning: "For someone who is [high-standing person] to do [something unworthy]" — expresses surprise, criticism, or heightened expectation for someone of that status.

Forms: Noun + ともあろう + Noun + が + (negative/surprising action)

Examples:

医師ともあろう人が、そんなことを言うとは。— For someone who is a doctor to say such a thing!
大臣ともあろう者が、約束を守らないとは。— For someone who holds the office of minister to not keep a promise!
先生ともあろう者が遅刻するとは。— For someone who is a teacher to be late!

8. 〜だに (even; just; merely — archaic/literary)

Level: Literary/Archaic
Meaning: "Even just ~" — a classical particle expressing emphasis, often with a minimal degree. Similar to さえ but more literary/archaic. In modern usage, often only in set phrases.

Forms: Verb / Noun + だに

Examples:

考えるだに恐ろしい。— Even just thinking about it is terrifying. (= 考えるだけで)
夢だに見たことがない理想郷。— An ideal land that one has not even seen in a dream.
微動だにしなかった。— Did not move even slightly. (set phrase)

9. 〜ものを (it should have been; unfortunately — literary regret)

Level: Literary/Formal
Meaning: Expresses regret that something did not happen as it could/should have. Literary emotion — a lament about an outcome that was preventable.

Forms: Verb (plain conditional form / た-form) + ものを; clause-final (the sentence ends here, with implied continuation)

Examples:

早く言ってくれればよかったものを。— If only you had told me sooner. (implied: things would be different now)
あの時諦めなければよかったものを。— If only I hadn't given up then.
素直に謝ればすんだものを。— If only you had simply apologized, it would have been fine.
そっとしておけばよかったものを、余計なことをして。— I should have just left it alone, but I made things worse.

10. 〜のみか (not only... but also — literary)

Level: Literary/Formal written
Meaning: "Not only ~ but also ~" — similar to 〜だけでなく but more literary/emphatic.

Forms: Noun / Verb / Adj (plain) + のみか + (additional point)

Examples:

彼は英語のみか、中国語、フランス語も話せる。— Not only English, but he also speaks Chinese and French.
失敗したのみか、大きな損失まで出してしまった。— Not only did he fail, but he also caused enormous losses.
この政策は効果がないのみか、むしろ逆効果だ。— This policy is not only ineffective but actually counterproductive.

Highly Formal Conjunctions (改まった接続表現)

11. 〜につけ(ても) (whenever; every time — triggers reflection or action)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "Every time ~; whenever ~" — each occurrence of X prompts Y (often an emotion, memory, or realization).

Forms: Verb (dict/た) + につけ; Noun + につけ; also につけても

Examples:

故郷の山を見るにつけ、幼い頃を思い出す。— Whenever I see the mountains of my hometown, I recall my childhood.
彼の活躍を見るにつけ、自分の不甲斐なさを感じる。— Every time I see his achievements, I feel my own inadequacy.
何かにつけて文句を言う人だ。— He's the type who complains about everything.
良いにつけ悪いにつけ、結果が大切だ。— Whether the outcome is good or bad, results matter.

12. 〜とあって (because of the special circumstance; given that)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "Because it is the special occasion/situation of ~, naturally [result follows]." Used when an unusual or special circumstance explains an outcome.

Forms: Noun / Clause (plain) + とあって

Examples:

初日とあって、会場は大勢の人で溢れていた。— Being the opening day, the venue was overflowing with people.
有名人の来訪とあって、メディアが殺到した。— Given that a celebrity was visiting, the media swarmed.
特売とあって、客が早朝から並んだ。— Because it was a special sale, customers lined up from early morning.

13. 〜とあれば (if the situation calls for it; if it is the case that)

Level: Formal spoken/Written
Meaning: "If it is truly the case that ~; if the situation requires ~" — implies willingness or readiness to act given a particular condition.

Forms: Noun / Verb (plain) + とあれば

Examples:

必要とあれば、すぐに出発します。— If it is necessary, I will depart immediately.
会社のためとあれば、どんな苦労もいとわない。— If it is for the company's sake, I will not shy away from any hardship.
あなたのお願いとあれば、断れません。— If it is your request, I cannot refuse.

14. 〜とあっては (given the situation; because things are this way)

Level: Formal spoken/Written
Meaning: "Given that things have come to this point; now that this is the situation" — implies that a consequential action is unavoidable given the circumstances.

Forms: Noun / Verb (plain) + とあっては + (consequence)

Examples:

これほどの証拠があるとあっては、認めざるを得ない。— Given evidence of this extent, one has no choice but to admit it.
上司の命令とあっては、従わないわけにはいかない。— Given that it is an order from a superior, there is no way I cannot comply.
信頼を裏切ったとあっては、もう仲間とは呼べない。— Given that trust has been betrayed, I can no longer call him a comrade.

15. 〜ともなると / 〜ともなれば (when it comes to being at the level of; once one reaches)

Level: Formal spoken/Written
Meaning: "Once it reaches the level of; when someone/something reaches the point of ~" — describes how things naturally change at a higher level.

Forms: Noun / Verb (dict) + ともなると/ともなれば

Examples:

社長ともなると、考え方が変わるものだ。— Once you become president, your way of thinking changes.
本物の芸術家ともなれば、努力は並大抵ではない。— When it comes to a true artist, the effort required is extraordinary.
N1ともなると、学習の質が問われる。— Once we're talking about N1, the quality of study matters.

16. 〜ならでは (unique to; only possible with; characteristic of)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "Something that can only exist with ~; characteristic of and impossible without ~"

Forms: Noun + ならではの + Noun; Noun + ならでは + だ/ある

Examples:

これは日本ならではの美しさだ。— This is a beauty that is unique to Japan.
プロならではの技術を見せた。— Demonstrated skills that are unique to a professional.
子供ならではの発想が面白い。— The ideas characteristic of children are interesting.
京都ならではの雰囲気がある。— There is an atmosphere that is uniquely Kyoto.

17. 〜あっての (only possible because of; ~ is the foundation that enables)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "It is only because of ~ that [something exists/is possible]" — the preceding noun is the indispensable condition.

Forms: Noun + あっての + Noun

Examples:

健康あっての仕事だ。— Work is only possible because of good health.
信頼あっての人間関係だ。— Human relationships are only possible because of trust.
お客様あっての商売だ。— Business is only possible because of customers.
努力あっての成功だ。— Success is only possible because of effort.

18. 〜あってこそ (precisely because of; it is because of ~ that)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: Similar to 〜あっての but with stronger emphasis on the exclusive causation — "it is precisely because of ~ that."

Forms: Noun + あってこそ + (result)

Examples:

失敗あってこそ成長がある。— Growth exists precisely because of failure.
あなたの支えあってこそ、ここまで来れた。— I was able to come this far precisely because of your support.
困難あってこそ、人は強くなる。— It is precisely through hardship that people grow stronger.

19. 〜てこそ (only when/by doing; it is by ~ that)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "It is only by/when doing ~ that [result]; ~ is the essential condition for."

Forms: Verb (te-form) + こそ

Examples:

実際に使ってこそ、言語は身につく。— Language is only acquired by actually using it.
諦めずに続けてこそ、夢は実現する。— Dreams only come true by continuing without giving up.
互いに理解し合ってこそ、真の友情が生まれる。— True friendship is born only when there is mutual understanding.

Expressing Scope and Generalization (範囲・一般化)

20. 〜ものがある (there is a quality of; I feel / there's something that)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "There is something [quality X] about ~; I feel a certain [quality X]" — subjective recognition of an inherent quality.

Forms: Verb / Adj (plain) + ものがある

Examples:

彼の演奏には心を打つものがある。— There is something in his performance that moves one's heart.
この小説には考えさせられるものがある。— There is something in this novel that makes one think.
彼女の主張には一理あるものがある。— There is something to her argument that has a point.

21. 〜きらいがある (has a tendency to — negative nuance)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Has a tendency to ~; is prone to ~" — the tendency is viewed negatively or as a flaw.

Forms: Verb (dict) / Noun + の + きらいがある

Examples:

彼は極端に走るきらいがある。— He has a tendency to go to extremes.
日本人は遠慮し過ぎるきらいがある。— Japanese people tend to be excessively modest.
この国は規則に縛られ過ぎるきらいがある。— This country tends to be overly bound by rules.

22. 〜ものだ (various meanings — context-dependent)

Level: Formal spoken / Literary
Meaning: Multiple meanings based on context:

Reminiscence: Used to do X (past nostalgia) — 〜たものだ
Moral obligation: Should/ought to (natural expectation) — 〜するものだ
Natural phenomenon: That's how things are — 〜ものだ
Emotional exclamation: How ~ it is! — 〜ものだ (with adj)

Examples:

子供の頃、よくここで遊んだものだ。— We used to play here often as children. (reminiscence)
約束は守るものだ。— One should keep promises. (moral/social expectation)
人生とは難しいものだ。— How difficult life is. (natural state)
感慨深いものだ。— How deeply moving it is. (exclamation)

23. 〜ものではない (one should not; it is not done)

Level: Formal spoken
Meaning: "One should not ~; that's not what one does" — social/moral prohibition.

Forms: Verb (dict) + ものではない/ものじゃない

Examples:

人の悪口を言うものではない。— One should not speak ill of others.
そんな大切なものを粗末にするものではない。— One should not be careless with something so important.
子供の前で怒鳴るものではない。— One should not shout in front of children.

24. 〜とは言い切れない (cannot definitively say; cannot claim with certainty)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "Cannot categorically say that ~; one cannot definitively claim ~"

Forms: Verb / Adj + とは言い切れない

Examples:

彼が悪意を持っていたとは言い切れない。— One cannot say definitively that he had ill intent.
これが最善策とは言い切れない。— One cannot say with certainty that this is the best approach.
その方法が常に有効とは言い切れない。— One cannot categorically say that method is always effective.

25. 〜に足る / 〜に足らない (worthy of / not worth)

Level: Formal written/Literary
Meaning: "Worthy of ~; worth doing ~" / "Not worth ~; beneath consideration"

Forms: Verb (dict) + に足る/に足らない; Noun + に足る/に足らない

Examples:

これは信頼するに足る人物だ。— This is a person worthy of trust.
一顧に値しない、いや、論ずるに足らない問題だ。— A problem not worth a thought, not worth discussing.
彼の業績は称賛するに足る。— His achievements are worthy of praise.
取るに足らない小事だ。— It is a trivial matter not worth bothering with. (set phrase)

26. 〜に値する / 〜に値しない (deserving of / undeserving of)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Deserving of; meriting" — stronger and more formal than 〜に足る.

Forms: Verb (dict) + に値する; Noun + に値する

Examples:

この作品は高い評価に値する。— This work deserves high evaluation.
そのような扱いに値しない人物だ。— He is a person who does not deserve such treatment.
信頼に値する行動を示した。— Demonstrated behavior worthy of trust.

Discourse and Rhetorical Patterns (談話・修辞)

27. 〜ことなしに (without doing; cannot do without)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Without doing ~" — more formal than 〜ないで; often implies impossibility or a necessary condition.

Forms: Verb (dict) + ことなしに

Examples:

努力することなしに、成功は望めない。— Without making effort, one cannot hope for success.
彼に相談することなしに、決断はできない。— Without consulting him, a decision cannot be made.
準備することなしに試験に臨むのは無謀だ。— Facing the exam without preparation is reckless.

28. 〜をよそに (regardless of; oblivious to — ignoring someone's concern/feelings)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Regardless of ~; ignoring ~; oblivious to ~" — the subject acts without regard for someone else's feelings, concerns, or expectations.

Forms: Noun + をよそに + (action)

Examples:

周囲の心配をよそに、彼は危険な旅に出た。— Oblivious to everyone's worry, he set out on a dangerous journey.
親の反対をよそに、彼女は独立を決意した。— Ignoring her parents' opposition, she decided to become independent.
世間の批判をよそに、計画は進んでいった。— Regardless of public criticism, the plan proceeded.

29. 〜をものともせず (undaunted by; not deterred by)

Level: Formal written/Literary
Meaning: "Undaunted by ~; not being deterred by ~" — faces difficulty bravely.

Forms: Noun + をものともせず(に)

Examples:

悪天候をものともせず、登山を続けた。— Undaunted by bad weather, they continued climbing.
障害をものともせず、夢を追い続けた。— Undeterred by obstacles, he continued pursuing his dream.
重傷をものともせず、最後まで戦った。— Not deterred even by serious wounds, he fought to the end.

30. 〜ものとする / 〜ものとして (it is stipulated that; assuming)

Level: Legal/Formal written
Meaning:

〜ものとする: "It is hereby stipulated/assumed that ~" — used in contracts and laws
〜ものとして: "Assuming that ~; treating as though ~"

Forms: Verb (plain) + ものとする/ものとして

Examples:

料金は月末に支払うものとする。— Payment shall be made at month end. (contract language)
この規定に違反した場合は、契約を解除するものとする。— In case of violation of this rule, the contract shall be terminated.
彼はすでに知っているものとして話を進めた。— He proceeded with the conversation assuming the other already knew.

31. 〜に即して / 〜に即した (in line with; closely following)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "In accordance with ~; following closely; aligned with ~"

Forms: Noun + に即して / に即した

Examples:

現実に即した政策が必要だ。— Policies that align with reality are necessary.
状況に即して柔軟に対応する。— Respond flexibly in line with the situation.
事実に即した報告を求める。— A report closely following the facts is required.

32. 〜に反して / 〜に反する (contrary to; against; in violation of)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "Contrary to ~; against ~; violating ~"

Forms: Noun + に反して (adverbial) / に反する (attributive)

Examples:

予想に反して、結果は良かった。— Contrary to expectations, the result was good.
規則に反する行為は許されない。— Acts contrary to the rules are not permitted.
良心に反することはできない。— I cannot do what goes against my conscience.
期待に反して、試験に落ちた。— Contrary to everyone's expectations, he failed the exam.

Advanced Conditionals and Hypotheticals (N1条件表現)

33. 〜ものなら (if it were possible — often implies impossibility)

Level: Formal spoken
Meaning: "If only it were possible to ~" — strong hypothetical; often implies the condition is unlikely or impossible.

Forms: Verb (potential/dict) + ものなら

Examples:

戻れるものなら、あの日に戻りたい。— If I could go back, I'd want to return to that day. (implies impossible)
できるものなら、やってみてください。— If you can do it, please try. (challenge/dare nuance)
消せるものなら消したい過去だ。— It's a past I would want to erase if it were possible.

34. 〜たものなら (if you dare to do; if by some chance you do — warning)

Level: Formal spoken
Meaning: "If you were to do ~ (which would be very unwise)" — strong warning; the consequence is implied to be severe.

Forms: Verb (dict) + たものなら/ようものなら

Examples:

遅刻しようものなら、大変なことになるぞ。— If you dare be late, you'll be in serious trouble.
嘘をついたものなら、もう信用しない。— If you told a lie, I won't trust you anymore.
失敗しようものなら、取り返しがつかない。— If it were to fail, it would be irreversible.

35. 〜ようものなら (if by any chance; warning/consequence)

Level: Formal spoken
Meaning: "If ~ were to happen (consequences would be severe)" — conditional with threatening or cautionary nuance.

Forms: Verb (volitional form) + ものなら; Verb (dict) + ようものなら

Examples:

そんなことを言おうものなら、すぐに怒られる。— If you were to say such a thing, you'd be scolded immediately.
遅れようものなら、機会を逃す。— If by any chance you're late, you'll miss the opportunity.

36. 〜さえすれば (all you need to do is; if only ~ then)

Level: Formal spoken/Written
Meaning: "All you need to do is ~; as long as ~ then [result]"

Forms: Verb (て-form) + さえすれば; Noun + さえあれば; Noun + でさえあれば

Examples:

練習さえすれば、うまくなれる。— All you need to do is practice, and you'll improve.
健康でさえあれば、何でもできる。— As long as you're healthy, you can do anything.
あなたさえいれば、他には何もいらない。— As long as I have you, I need nothing else.

37. 〜はおろか (let alone; to say nothing of — far worse than expected)

Level: Formal spoken/Written
Meaning: "Not only ~ but not even ~; let alone ~" — the speaker addresses a lower level as also impossible.

Forms: Noun + はおろか + (even less expected item)

Examples:

外出はおろか、立つことも難しい状態だ。— In a state where standing, let alone going out, is difficult.
彼は英語はおろか、日本語も読めない。— He cannot even read Japanese, let alone English.
合格はおろか、受験すら諦めた。— He gave up even taking the exam, let alone passing it.

Key distinction from 〜どころか: 〜はおろか emphasizes the contrast is unexpected/extreme; 〜どころか can be positive or negative.

Degree and Extent — Literary Patterns (程度表現)

38. 〜極まりない / 〜極まる (extremely; the height of — literary intensity)

Level: Literary/Formal written
Meaning: "Extremely ~; in the extreme; the utmost ~" — very strong expression, often used in criticism or high praise.

Forms: Adj (na-stem) + 極まりない; Adj (na-stem) + 極まる (attributive: 極まりない + Noun)

Examples:

失礼極まりない態度だ。— An attitude of the utmost rudeness.
危険極まりない行為だ。— An act of the utmost danger.
不見識極まる発言だ。— A statement of the height of ignorance.
遺憾極まりない結果となった。— The result was most regrettable.

39. 〜限りだ (nothing but; utterly — strong personal emotion)

Level: Formal spoken
Meaning: "I feel nothing but ~; it is utterly ~" — strong expression of a speaker's dominant emotion.

Forms: Adj (plain) + 限りだ; い-adj / な-adj (な) + 限りだ

Examples:

合格できて嬉しい限りだ。— I am nothing but overjoyed to have passed.
彼の行動は残念な限りだ。— His behavior is nothing short of regrettable.
こんなに応援してもらって、ありがたい限りです。— I am utterly grateful to receive such support.
心強い限りです。— I feel nothing but reassured.

40. 〜てならない (cannot help but; unbearably — involuntary feeling)

Level: Formal spoken
Meaning: "Cannot help feeling ~; unbearably ~ (involuntary strong emotion)" — the feeling arises naturally and cannot be suppressed.

Forms: Verb (te-form) + ならない; Adj (te-form) + ならない

Examples:

故郷のことが恋しくてならない。— I cannot help but long for my hometown.
あの事故のことが気になってならない。— I cannot stop worrying about that accident.
彼が無事でいるか、心配でならない。— I cannot help but worry whether he is safe.

Comparison:

〜てならない: involuntary feeling; cannot suppress it
〜てたまらない: unbearable physical/emotional sensation
〜てしかたがない: can't be helped; often slightly more resigned

41. 〜ずにはすまない / 〜ないではすまない (social/moral obligation — cannot avoid)

Level: Formal spoken
Meaning: "Cannot get away without doing ~; social obligation requires ~" — public expectation or conscience demands action.

Forms: Verb (ない-form) + ずにはすまない; Verb (ない-form) + ないではすまない

Examples:

迷惑をかけた以上、謝らずにはすまない。— Having caused trouble, one cannot avoid apologizing.
こんな大きな失敗をしては、責任をとらずにはすまない。— Having made such a large mistake, one cannot avoid taking responsibility.
ここまで指摘されたら、認めないではすまない。— Having been pointed out to this extent, one cannot avoid admitting it.

N1 Frequently Tested Patterns

42. 〜に先んじて (ahead of; in advance of — 先んじる)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Ahead of ~; anticipating ~; in advance of ~" — taking action before something expected happens.

Forms: Noun + に先んじて

Examples:

他社に先んじて、新製品を開発した。— Developed a new product ahead of competing companies.
問題発生に先んじて、対策を立てた。— Formulated countermeasures in anticipation of problems arising.
時代に先んじた発想だった。— It was an idea that was ahead of its time.

43. 〜をもって (with; by means of — formal termination/commencement)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "By means of ~; with ~; as of ~" — formal marker, used for:

The means/instrument by which something is done
A formal time marker indicating start/end

Forms: Noun + をもって; Verb (plain) + こと + をもって

Examples:

これをもって本日の審議を終了いたします。— With this, I hereby conclude today's deliberations.
実力をもって証明する。— Prove it through ability.
本日をもって、営業を終了いたします。— As of today, we are closing operations. (formal closing)
誠意をもって対応する。— Respond with sincerity.
以上をもって報告を終わります。— With this, I conclude my report.

44. 〜いかんによっては / 〜いかんでは (depending on; contingent on)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Depending on ~; contingent on the state of ~"

Forms: Noun + いかんによっては / いかんでは; Noun + いかん(に)よっては

Examples:

結果いかんによっては、計画を変更せざるを得ない。— Depending on the result, we may have no choice but to change the plan.
天候いかんでは、試合が中止になることもある。— Depending on the weather, the game may be cancelled.
対応いかんでは、大問題になりかねない。— Depending on the response, it could become a major problem.

Full pattern: 〜いかん(に)よらず = regardless of ~

45. 〜にほかならない (nothing but; none other than; precisely)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Is nothing other than ~; is precisely ~" — emphatic identification, asserting the true nature of something.

Forms: Noun + にほかならない; Verb / Clause + にほかならない

Examples:

これは差別にほかならない。— This is nothing other than discrimination.
彼の成功は努力にほかならない。— His success is nothing other than (the result of) effort.
そのような行為は裏切りにほかならない。— Such an act is nothing but betrayal.
問題は資金不足にほかならない。— The problem is nothing other than insufficient funds.

46. 〜ばこそ (precisely because; it is specifically because)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "It is precisely because of ~; because and only because of ~" — strongly emphasizes that the condition is the decisive reason.

Forms: Verb (ば-form) + こそ; Adj/Noun + であればこそ

Examples:

愛しているればこそ、厳しいことを言うのだ。— It is precisely because I care that I say harsh things.
困難があればこそ、人は成長する。— It is precisely because there are difficulties that people grow.
信じているればこそ、任せることができる。— It is precisely because I trust you that I can leave it to you.

47. 〜かたわら (while; alongside; while also)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "While also doing ~; alongside ~; at the same time as ~" — doing two activities simultaneously or as secondary occupation.

Forms: Verb (dict) + かたわら; Noun + のかたわら

Examples:

会社に勤めるかたわら、小説を書いている。— While working at a company, he also writes novels.
研究のかたわら、後進の指導も行う。— Alongside research, he also mentors the next generation.
子育てのかたわら、ボランティア活動をしている。— While raising children, she also does volunteer work.

48. 〜すら / 〜でさえ (even — stronger emphasis)

Level: Formal written/Spoken
Meaning: "Even ~" — emphasizes that even an extreme/unexpected case is true.

Forms: Noun + すら; Noun + でさえ

Nuance comparison:

さえ: standard "even" — works in most contexts
すら: stronger, more literary; emphasizes unexpectedness more
でさえ: combines で (particle) + さえ; used when the noun needs a case particle

Examples:

子供すら/でさえ知っていることだ。— Even children know this.
専門家すら解けない問題だ。— A problem even experts cannot solve.
名前すら覚えていない。— I don't even remember the name.
歩くことすらできない状態だった。— Was in a state where even walking was impossible.

N1 Grammar — Further Essential Patterns

49. 〜ことなく (without doing — formal)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Without doing ~" — more formal than 〜ないで.

Examples:

休むことなく走り続けた。— Continued running without rest.
諦めることなく挑戦した。— Challenged without giving up.

50. 〜に至っては (when it comes to ~ [and it is even worse/more extreme])

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "When it comes to ~; in the case of ~ (which is especially extreme)"

Examples:

最悪の場合に至っては、解雇もあり得る。— In the worst case, even dismissal is possible.
彼の場合に至っては、全く改善が見られない。— When it comes to his case, no improvement is seen at all.

51. 〜に至るまで (ranging to; going as far as; even)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Up to and including; even; going so far as"

Examples:

細部に至るまで完璧にした。— Made perfect down to the last detail.
子供から老人に至るまで、誰もが楽しめる。— Everyone from children to the elderly can enjoy it.

52. 〜いかんにかかわらず (regardless of)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Regardless of ~; irrespective of ~"

Examples:

結果いかんにかかわらず、ベストを尽くす。— Regardless of the result, I will give my best.
年齢いかんにかかわらず、応募できる。— Anyone can apply regardless of age.

53. 〜と相まって (combined with; together with — synergistic)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "Combined with ~; together with ~ (producing a combined effect)"

Examples:

努力と才能とが相まって、成功を収めた。— Effort combined with talent led to success.
景気回復と相まって、雇用が改善した。— Employment improved in combination with economic recovery.

54. 〜もさることながら (~ is certainly true, but also; not only ~ but also)

Level: Formal written
Meaning: "While ~ is certainly the case; not only ~ but also" — acknowledges one point while emphasizing an additional (often more important) one.

Examples:

実力もさることながら、彼の粘り強さが勝因だ。— While ability is certainly a factor, his tenacity is the reason for victory.
コストもさることながら、品質が重要だ。— While cost is certainly important, quality matters too.

55. 〜かいがあって / 〜かいがない (worth the effort; was/wasn't worth it)

Level: Formal spoken
Meaning: "Worth the trouble of; the effort paid off" / "Not worth the effort"

Examples:

努力したかいがあって、合格できた。— The effort was worth it — I passed.
頑張ったかいがなく、失敗に終わった。— Despite all the effort, it ended in failure.
練習したかいがあった。— The practice paid off.

N1 Grammar Summary — Similar Pattern Distinctions

One of N1's signature challenges is distinguishing between similar-looking patterns. Here are the most commonly tested clusters:

Cluster A: Expressions of "Even" (〜さえ vs 〜すら vs 〜でさえ vs 〜まで)

Pattern	Formality	Emphasis level	Nuance
さえ	Spoken/Written	Medium	Standard "even"; also "if only"
すら	Literary	High	Unexpectedness; strong literary "even"
でさえ	Written/Spoken	Medium-High	= で + さえ; noun with particle
まで	Spoken/Written	Medium	"Even; going so far as to" (often surprising)

Cluster B: Expressions of "Because" (〜ばかりに vs 〜ゆえに vs 〜だけに vs 〜からこそ)

Pattern	Meaning	Nuance
〜ばかりに	precisely because (negative result follows)	negative outcome due to the one cause
〜ゆえに	therefore; because (literary)	formal/written; neutral
〜だけに	because (and therefore naturally)	the reason makes the result expected
〜からこそ	precisely because	strongly emphasizes the reason

Cluster C: Formal "Should/Must" (〜べき vs 〜ものだ vs 〜に足る)

Pattern	Meaning	Use
〜べき	should/ought to (obligation)	moral/logical must
〜ものだ	that's how things are / should (social)	social norms, natural states
〜に足る	worthy of doing	expresses merit/worthiness
〜に値する	deserves; meriting	stronger than 〜に足る

Cluster D: Concessive (〜にもかかわらず vs 〜とはいえ vs 〜といえども vs 〜ながらも)

Pattern	Formality	Nuance
〜にもかかわらず	Formal written	Strong concessive; despite (often large contrast)
〜とはいえ	Formal	Acknowledging then limiting
〜といえども	Literary	Classical; even granting
〜ながらも	Formal spoken	Although (simultaneous contradiction)
〜ものの	Written	Although; but (outcome is unexpected)