JLPT GRAMMAR GUIDE
A
AGEKU、AGEKU NO (~あげく、~あげくの)Grade 2
Meaning: After much __ing... Used only for negative results, such as "After much worrying, I decided to quit my job."
Notes: Same as 'sue ni' but can only be used for actions which have negative results. 'Sue ni' , on the other hand, can be used for both positive and negative things. Ageku and ageku no are the same meaning, but differ grammatically. ageku is a conjunction, used to join two clause, whereas ageku no always comes before a noun.
Example: 両親と話し合ったあげく、学校を辞めることにした。(りょうしんとはなしあったあげく、がっこうをやめることにした。)After consulting with my parents, I quit school.
両親と話あったあげくの決定です。(両親とはなしあったあげくの決定です。)This is a decision that I reached after talking with my parents.
CF: sue ni
AREBA
(see to areba)
ATARANAI
(See ni ataranai)
ATTE NO (~あっての)Grade 1
Meaning: It's only possible because of...; If not for A, B would not be possible.
Notes: Comes between two nouns.
Example: 法律あっての社会。(ほうりつあってのしゃかい。)Society is only possible because of laws.
B
BAKARI NI (~ばかりに) Grade 2
Meaning: Because. Always indicates a negative outcome.
Example: 新車を買ったばかりにお金がありません。(しんしゃをかったばかりにおかねがありません。)
勉強しなかったばかりに試験に失敗した。(べんきょうしなかったばかりにしけんにしっぱいした。)I failed the test because I didn't study.
I don't have any money because I bought a new car.
~BA KOSO (~ばこそ)Grade 1
Meaning: If only.
Notes: Always used with a conditional form verb.
Example: お金があればこそ、旅行できる。(おかねがあればこそ、りょこうできる。)If only I had money, I could go on a trip.
CF: Koso
BEKARAZU, BEKARAZARU (~べからず、~べからざる)Grade 1
Meaning: Shouldn't; Don't.
Notes: Written only. Old fashioned word that was often used on public notices prohibiting actions. Bekarazu always comes at the end of a sentence. Bekarazaru comes before a noun. Although the meanings are completely different, they may throw in questions where both beku and gatera would be appropriate, but only one would be grammatically correct. Beku comes after a masu form verb, or a gerund. E.g. Hakamairi o suru beku, furusato ni kaetta.
Example: ここにごみを捨てるべからず。(ここにごみをすてるべからず。)Do not throw your garbage here.
許すべからざるできごとだ。(ゆるすべからざるできごとだ。)That matter is something I can never forgive.