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JLPT N1 grammar · unit 14 of 37
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L14 JLPT N1 grammar — 〜にあって … 〜にして

Read each pattern and its example, then write your own sentence on the line.

〜にあって N + にあって(は/も)
'Being in (a special situation or position)'. Sets up a circumstance that explains what follows; with も it means 'even in'. Formal written style, common in news and speeches.
この非常時にあって、冷静な判断が求められる。 In this emergency, calm judgment is called for.
〜に至る / 〜に至るまで N/V-dict + に至る;N + に至るまで
〜に至る means a process finally reaches some result or place; 〜に至るまで means 'all the way down to / even including'. Formal written style, typical of reports and news.
両社は長い交渉の末、合併に至った。 After lengthy negotiations, the two companies finally merged.
〜に至っては N + に至っては(後件は否定的評価)
Picks out the most extreme example from a bad situation: 'and as for X, it's even worse'. Always carries a negative or critical evaluation. Formal, mainly written.
欠勤が続き、先月に至っては一日も出社していない。 He keeps missing work, and last month he didn't come in even once.
〜に関わる N + に関わる + N/に関わってくる
'Has a serious bearing on X' — used when something important such as life, reputation or trust is at stake. Fixed with weighty nouns; formal, common in news and business.
これは会社の信用に関わる重大な問題だ。 This is a serious problem that affects the company's credibility.
〜に難くない V-dict(想像する・察する等)+ に難くない;想像 + に難くない
'It is not hard to imagine/guess'. Used almost only with 想像する, 察する and 理解する. Very formal written Japanese, typical of essays, editorials and condolences.
遺族の心情は察するに難くない。 It is not hard to imagine how the bereaved family feels.
〜にして N(年齢・段階)+ にして(初めて)/N + にして + N
Two uses: after a number or stage it means 'only at / not until'; after a noun it links two qualities, 'both A and B'. Literary and formal, rare in casual speech.
彼は五十歳にして、初めて絵筆を握った。 It was not until he was fifty that he first picked up a paintbrush.
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