JLPT N4 Grammar – Is it possible to make requests using the “て form”?
Table of Contents
1. Is it possible to make requests using the “て form”?
2. Rules for the “て form” Expressing Reasons and Causes
3. How to Use the “て form” to Express Reasons and Causes
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is wrong with the sentence “頭が痛くて薬をもらえませんか。“
A: The mistake in this sentence is that the “て form” cannot be used in sentences that involve requesting or influencing the listener. The correct expression is “頭が痛いので薬をもらえませんか。”
Rules for the “て form” Expressing Reasons and Causes
[Rules]
[V] Verb て form
[A] い adjective て form
[Na] な adjective て form
[N] Noun + で
[Examples]
遅くなってすみません。
Sorry for being late.
頭が痛くて薬を飲みました。
I had a headache, so I took some medicine.
仕事が大変で寝る時間もありません。
My work is tough, and I don’t even have time to sleep.
雨で試合が延期になりました。
The match was postponed due to the rain.
How to Use the “て form” to Express Reasons and Causes
“から” and “ので” are also used to indicate reasons and causes, but the “て form” is slightly weaker in meaning compared to them. “から” can be used without restrictions, whereas “ので” cannot be followed by sentences expressing commands or prohibitions.
On the other hand, the “て form” has several restrictions on the expressions that can follow it, so careful usage is necessary.
① When Followed by Expressions of Gratitude or Apology
The “て form” is often followed by expressions of gratitude or apology.
[Examples]
正直に話してくれて、ありがとう。
Thank you for speaking honestly.
遅くなってすみません。
Sorry for being late.
② When Expressing Emotional or Physical States, or Impossibility
After the “て form,” expressions describing the speaker’s emotions, physical state, or inability to do something (impossibility) often follow.
[Examples]
宿題が多くて、寝る時間がありません。
I have too much homework and no time to sleep.
雨で電車が遅れています。
The train is delayed due to the rain.
Additionally, when expressing emotions, verbs like “困る” (to be troubled), “疲れる” (to be tired), and “大変だ” (to be tough/difficult) are commonly used.
[Examples]
人が足りなくて困っています。
We don’t have enough people, and it’s a problem.
仕事が忙しすぎて疲れました。
Work is too busy, and I’m exhausted.
Key Differences Between “から・ので” and “て form”
The biggest difference between “から”, “ので”, and the “て form” is that the “て form” cannot be followed by sentences expressing the speaker’s intention or a request/command directed at the listener (such as asking for permission, making a request, or giving a command).
[When Expressing the Speaker’s Intention]
〇 暑いから、冷たいジュースを飲みたいです。
〇 暑いので、冷たいジュースを飲みたいです。
× 暑くて、冷たいジュースを飲みたいです。
⇒ The “て form” cannot be used to express the speaker’s intention.
[When Making a Request or Asking for Permission]
〇 ちょっと疲れたから、休んでもいいですか？
〇 ちょっと疲れたので、休んでもいいですか？
× ちょっと疲れて、休んでもいいですか？
⇒ The “て form” cannot be used for requests.
As seen above, the “て form” can describe the speaker’s emotions or state but is not suitable for requesting something from the listener.
When making a request or asking for permission, use “から” or “ので” instead.
Let’s Compare
Which Sentence is Grammatically Incorrect?
① 頭が痛くて薬を飲みました。
② 頭が痛いので薬を飲みました。
③ 頭が痛くて薬をもらえませんか。
④ 頭が痛いので薬をもらえませんか。
The correct answer is ③.
But why is ③ incorrect?
① and ② are both correct.
⇒ Both sentences express the speaker’s intention (taking medicine), so both “て form” and “ので” can be used.
③ is grammatically unnatural.
⇒ The “て form” cannot be followed by the speaker’s intention or a request/command (such as asking for permission or making a request). Therefore, it does not fit with the request “薬をもらえませんか？” (Can I get some medicine?).
④ is correct.
⇒ “ので” can be used with requests, making “薬をもらえませんか？” a natural sentence.
Summary
- The “て form” expressing reasons and causes has restrictions on sentence endings:
①Followed by expressions of gratitude or apology, such as “～てありがとう” or “～てすみません.”
②Followed by words expressing emotional or physical states, or impossibility.
③Cannot be followed by the speaker’s intention or a request/command directed at the listener. - Compared to “から” and “ので,” its meaning is weaker.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. おいしいので
このお菓子、おいしいので食べてください。
This snack is delicious, so please eat it.
* Since the sentence ends with a request, “おいしいので” is the correct choice.
A. Both are correct
暑くて寝られません。
暑いので寝られません。
It’s hot, so I can’t sleep.
*Both expressions satisfy the grammatical conditions, so either can be used.
A. Both are correct
食べすぎて、お腹が痛いです。
食べすぎたから、お腹が痛いです。
I ate too much, so my stomach hurts.
*Both expressions satisfy the grammatical conditions, so either can be used.
A. 重いので
荷物が重いので手伝ってもらえませんか。
My luggage is heavy, so could you help me?
*Since the sentence ends with a request, “重いので” is the correct choice.
SImilar Articles
- JLPT N4 Grammar – The Complete Guide to “〜てくる” and “〜ていく” ②
- JLPT N4 Grammar – The Complete Guide to “〜てくる” and “〜ていく” ①
- JLPT N3・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “触る” and “触れる”
- JLPT N4 Grammar – “行きます”? “行けます”? Master the basics of Japanese potential form
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