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JLPT N2 grammar · unit 17 of 33
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J17 JLPT N2 grammar — 〜がち … 〜一方だ

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

〜がち V-ます形 / N + がち(だ/の)
Says something tends to happen often, usually an unwanted tendency. Describes a habit or repeated state rather than a single event; neutral register.
一人暮らしだと食事が不規則になりがちだ。 Living alone, your meals tend to become irregular.
〜きる / 〜きれない V-ます形 + きる/きれる/きれない
〜きる means doing something completely, all the way to the end; 〜きれない means being unable to finish or handle it all. Both attach to the verb stem; everyday register.
一日でこの本を読みきった。 I finished reading this book in a single day.
〜ぬく V-ます形 + ぬく
Means carrying an action through to the end despite difficulty, stressing effort and persistence. Stronger and more emotional than 〜きる; common in writing and speeches.
苦しかったが、最後まで走り抜いた。 It was painful, but I ran it through to the very end.
〜つつある V-ます形 + つつある
Describes a change that is steadily in progress: 'is gradually becoming'. Formal and typical of news reports and written Japanese rather than casual speech.
景気は少しずつ回復しつつある。 The economy is gradually recovering.
〜つつ V-ます形 + つつ(も)
A written-style 〜ながら: either two simultaneous actions by the same person, or 'even though I know X, I still do Y' (with つつも especially).
悪いと知りつつ、うそをついてしまった。 Even knowing it was wrong, I ended up telling a lie.
〜一方だ V-dict(変化を表す動詞)+ 一方だ
Says a situation keeps moving in one direction and nothing stops it, usually a bad one: 'keeps getting more and more'. Slightly formal, common in news and reports.
物価は上がる一方だ。 Prices just keep going up.
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