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JLPT N2 grammar · unit 14 of 33
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J14 JLPT N2 grammar — 〜に限って … 〜にしろ / 〜にせよ

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

〜に限って N + に限って(〜に限って〜ない で「〜だけは…しない」)
Marks the one time or person out of all others, usually with ironic bad luck ('of all days'), or with a negative to insist 'not X of all people'. Common in speech and writing.
急いでいる日に限って、電車が遅れる。 Of all days, the trains are late when I'm in a hurry.
〜に限る N / V-dict / V-ない + に限る
Says that X is the best option — 'nothing beats X'. It states the speaker's personal opinion or advice, and is common in casual conversation.
疲れた時は早く寝るに限る。 When you're tired, nothing beats going to bed early.
〜からといって 普通形 + からといって(後件は〜ない/〜とは限らない)
Rejects a conclusion drawn from a reason: 'just because X, it doesn't follow that Y'. The second half is almost always negative. Used in both speech and writing.
安いからといって、買いすぎるのはよくない。 Just because it's cheap doesn't mean you should buy too much.
〜といっても N / 普通形 + といっても
Corrects the impression a word might give: 'I say X, but actually it's less than you'd imagine'. Neutral register, very common in conversation.
料理といっても、卵を焼いただけです。 I say I cooked, but all I did was fry an egg.
〜にしても N / 普通形 + にしても
Concedes a point and then objects: 'even granting X, still Y'. Often carries mild criticism. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
冗談にしても、言っていいことと悪いことがある。 Even as a joke, there are things you shouldn't say.
〜にしろ / 〜にせよ N / 普通形 + にしろ・にせよ(A にしろ B にしろ の形も)
A stiffer, more formal version of 〜にしても: 'even if / whether X or Y, the point stands'. Common in writing, speeches and formal talk; にせよ is the most literary.
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