Tendency & Likelihood

Introduction

Describing tendencies, probabilities, and dispositions requires patterns that go beyond simple prediction. These expressions let you discuss patterns, risks, and likely outcomes with precision.

Important for analysis, reports, and mature discussion of complex topics.

Themes

All Japanese Grammar Advanced in This Chapter (13)

1. 嫌いがある きらいがある A phrase meaning 'to have a tendency (to do something undesirable),' used to point out a habitual or recurring negative trait in a person...
2. ともすると ともすると An adverb meaning 'apt to,' 'liable to,' or 'before you know it,' used to express that something undesirable is likely to happen if one i...
3. 恐れがある おそれがある A phrase meaning 'there is a fear that,' 'there is a risk that,' or 'it is feared that,' used to warn about a potential negative outcome....
4. べからず・べからざる べからず An auxiliary expression meaning 'must not' or 'should not,' used to express a strong prohibition. べからず ends a sentence as a command, whil...
5. べく べく A conjunctive form of the auxiliary べし meaning 'in order to' or 'with the aim of,' used to express purpose or intent. It connects a purpo...
6. べくして べくして A phrase meaning 'as was meant to be' or 'as was destined to happen,' used to express that something occurred exactly as expected or as a...
7. べくもない べくもない A phrase meaning 'there is no way to,' 'it is impossible to,' or 'one cannot possibly,' used to express that something is utterly beyond ...
8. んとする んとする A literary phrase meaning 'to try to do' or 'to be about to do,' expressing either an intentional attempt or the imminence of an event. I...
9. ひとつ ひとつ An adverb meaning 'why don't I/we' or 'let me try,' used when the speaker expresses their intention to give something a try, or when maki...
10. ものか (1) ものか A rhetorical question marker expressing strong negative intention or disagreement. It emphatically conveys 'as if I would ever' or 'there...
11. ものか (2) ものか A phrase used when the speaker is wondering what to do, or expressing a desire to do something. It conveys 'I wonder what would be good' ...
12. ものではない ものではない A sentence-final phrase meaning 'one should not' or 'it is not something one does,' used to express a general moral or social admonition....
13. どうか どうか An adverb meaning 'please' or 'I beg you,' used to add earnestness and sincerity to a request. It intensifies the politeness and emotiona...