JLPT N2 Grammar Map: にもかかわらず, ものの, ざるを得ない, かねない
16 key JLPT N2 grammar points on one page, grouped by type, with forms, original example sentences, English translations, and notes on formality.
At JLPT N2, you start meeting the formal expressions used in the news and in work emails. The same idea, "even though," can be said in several ways, like にもかかわらず and ものの, and you choose based on the situation.
The colors show difficulty: green = learn these first, blue = the core of N2, orange = easy to get wrong. All example sentences were written for this article.
Grammar map
〜にもかかわらず
plain form / noun + にもかかわらず
雨にもかかわらず、多くの人が集まった。Despite the rain, many people gathered.
A formal "despite / even though." Common in the news and in writing.
Watch out:In conversation, 〜のに or 〜けど sounds more natural.
〜ものの
plain form + ものの
免許は取ったものの、ほとんど運転していない。Although I got my license, I hardly ever drive.
"Although…, things did not go as you would expect after that."
Watch out:The first part is something you accept as a fact.
〜ことから
plain form + ことから
形が富士山に似ていることから、この山は「〇〇富士」と呼ばれている。Because its shape resembles Mt. Fuji, this mountain is called "XX Fuji".
Explains where a name comes from, or what a judgment is based on.
Watch out:More objective and explanatory than a simple 〜から.
〜からこそ
plain form + からこそ
失敗したからこそ、学べたことがある。It is precisely because I failed that I learned something.
Stresses the reason: "precisely because…"
Watch out:Often used to highlight a reason that seems surprising at first.
〜に違いない
plain form + に違いない (な-adjectives and nouns attach directly)
電気がついている。だれかいるに違いない。The lights are on. Someone must be there.
Strong certainty: "must be."
Watch out:Closer to the speaker's personal conviction than 〜はずだ.
〜わけにはいかない
verb dictionary form / ない-form + わけにはいかない
明日は試験だから、遊ぶわけにはいかない。I have an exam tomorrow, so I can't (afford to) play.
"I can't do it, for a good reason."
Watch out:〜ないわけにはいかない means "I have to": 行かないわけにはいかない (I can't not go).
〜ざるを得ない
verb ない-form minus ない + ざるを得ない (する → せざるを得ない)
台風が来るので、旅行は中止せざるを得ない。A typhoon is coming, so we have no choice but to cancel the trip.
"I don't want to, but I have no choice."
Watch out:する becomes せざる, not しざる.
〜っこない
verb ます-stem + っこない
こんな量、1日で終わりっこない。There's no way I can finish this much in a day.
A casual "there's no way."
Watch out:Don't use it in formal situations.
〜かねない
verb ます-stem + かねない
寝不足で運転すると、事故を起こしかねない。Driving without enough sleep could cause an accident.
"Something bad could happen."
Watch out:Only for bad outcomes. 〜かねる is different: a polite "I'm unable to."
〜一方だ
verb dictionary form + 一方だ
物価は上がる一方だ。Prices just keep going up.
"Keeps going in one direction" without stopping.
Watch out:Usually describes a change for the worse.
〜とともに
verb dictionary form / noun + とともに
年をとるとともに、体力が落ちてきた。As I get older, my stamina has declined.
"Together with," "as…," or "at the same time as."
Watch out:It can also mean "with someone": 家族とともに暮らす (live with my family).
〜に限らず
noun + に限らず
この店は、若者に限らず、お年寄りにも人気がある。This shop is popular not only with young people but also with the elderly.
"Not only…"
Watch out:The second half often includes も.
〜を通じて・〜を通して
noun + を通じて / を通して
この町は一年を通じて暖かい。 / 友人を通して彼と知り合った。This town is warm throughout the year. / I met him through a friend.
Two meanings: "throughout a period" and "by means of / through."
Watch out:通して feels more like you deliberately chose that route.
〜をきっかけに
noun + をきっかけに
留学をきっかけに、料理を始めた。Studying abroad was what got me started cooking.
"Taking… as the starting point."
Watch out:〜を契機に is an even more formal version.
〜にあたって
verb dictionary form / noun + にあたって
新しい生活を始めるにあたって、部屋を片づけた。Before starting my new life, I tidied up my room.
"On the occasion of / before doing something important."
Watch out:Used in speeches and formal situations.
〜に沿って
noun + に沿って
川に沿って歩いた。 / 計画に沿って進める。I walked along the river. / We will proceed according to the plan.
"Along" or "in line with."
Watch out:Goes with nouns that set a standard to follow, like a plan, policy, or wish.
Tips for N2
- Learn them by how formal they are. 〜のに (conversation) → 〜ものの → 〜にもかかわらず (news). Lining up expressions with the same meaning from casual to formal makes them easier to remember.
- Check whether the meaning is good or bad. かねない and 一方だ are mostly used for bad outcomes.
N2 has a lot of stiff-sounding grammar, but many of these show up again and again in real news. Try spotting one each time you read a headline.