Vます (continuative)

• Reading: ます
• Romaji: masu
• Formation: Verb ます-stem + 、 + Verb ます-stem + 、 + Final Verb

Meaning

The continuative form of a verb, created by removing ます from the polite form. It connects clauses meaning 'do X and then...' in a formal or written style.

The Vます continuative form (also called the 連用形 ren'yōkei) links sequential actions or states in a single sentence, functioning similarly to the て-form but with a more formal, literary, or written tone. While the て-form is the standard connector in spoken Japanese, the Vます form is preferred in news reports, academic writing, formal speeches, and business documents. Multiple Vます clauses can be chained, with the final verb carrying tense and politeness. Unlike the て-form, the Vます continuative does not strongly imply a causal or temporal relationship between clauses — it can simply list actions neutrally.

Examples

1. 朝早く起き、顔を洗い、朝食を食べた。 I woke up early, washed my face, and ate breakfast.
2. 資料を確認し、上司に報告しました。 I checked the documents and reported to my supervisor.
3. 電車を降り、駅前の喫茶店に向かった。 I got off the train and headed to the coffee shop in front of the station.

Usage Guide

Context: written, formal speech, news

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 荷物をまとめ、空港に向かった。
• 彼女は笑い、手を振った。
• 問題を分析し、解決策を提案した。
• 席に着き、メニューを開いた。

Don't Say

• 朝起き、歯を磨きて、出かけた。(Do not mix continuative form and て-form in the same chain) → 朝起き、歯を磨き、出かけた。
• 食べ、飲む。(The non-final clause uses continuative but the sentence feels incomplete without proper context) → 食べたり飲んだりした。

Origin & History

The continuative form (連用形) is one of the six classical verb conjugation bases in Japanese and has been used since Old Japanese to connect clauses in formal and literary registers.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal