5 Essential Grammar Patterns to Express “Something Happens Immediately” ①
Table of Contents
1. 5 Essential Grammar Patterns to Express “Something Happens Immediately”
2. Grammar Comparison
3. AそばからB
4. AてすぐB
5. Let’s Compare
6. Summary
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: What are the differences between the grammar patterns “〜そばから,” “〜てすぐ,” “〜が早いか,” “〜かと思ったら,” and “〜とたん”?
A: All of these expressions indicate that “as soon as one action ends, another begins,” but each has different nuances and usage. In this article, we will focus on “〜そばから” and “〜てすぐ” and explain them in detail.
Grammar Comparison
Let’s start by reviewing the overall differences in a summary chart.
| Expression | Meaning | Features |
|---|---|---|
| A そばから B | As soon as A happens, B happens again | B (often the same thing) occurs repeatedly right after A; often implies A’s effort is wasted. |
| A てすぐ | Immediately after A | B happens right after A; expresses the next action in a neutral way. |
| A が早いか B | The moment A happens / almost simultaneously | A and B occur nearly at the same time; emphasizes simultaneousness. |
| A かと思ったら B | Just when A happened | B (often an unexpected development) occurs immediately after A. |
| A とたん（に）B | Right after A / the moment A ends | B (often surprising or unanticipated) occurs the very moment A ends. |
AそばからB (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
Even after doing something, the same thing happens again right away
[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary form / past form + そばから
[Examples]
3歳の息子はわたしがそうじするそばから、部屋を散らかしてきます。
My 3-year-old son messes up the room right after I clean it.
用事を済ませたそばから、次の用事がでてきます。
As soon as I finish one task, another one comes up.
何度覚えようよしても、覚えたそばから忘れてしまうんです。
No matter how many times I try to memorize it, I forget it right after I’ve learned it.
“AそばからB” expresses that even after completing action A, a similar action B occurs immediately again.
It often conveys a sense of disappointment or futility, especially when effort or time spent on A is quickly wasted.
[Examples]
ようやくメールの返信が片づいたそばから、また新しいメールが来ました。
Just as I finally finished replying to emails, new ones came in.
テーブルを拭いたそばから、また子供が食べ物をこぼして汚します。
Right after I wiped the table, my child spilled food on it again.
⇒ It reflects a feeling of frustration at having completed something only to have the same situation repeat again right away.
It is also commonly used with memory-related verbs like “覚える” (to remember) and “忘れる” (to forget), and is often used to describe situations where something that was remembered is quickly forgotten.
[Examples]
最近は聞いたそばから、すぐに忘れてしまう。もう歳かな。
These days, I forget things right after I hear them. Maybe I’m just getting old.
勉強しても、習ったそばから忘れてしまって、なかなか上達しません。
Even when I study, I forget what I’ve just learned, so I’m not making much progress.
This expression is not only used in negative situations, but can also be used in positive contexts.
For example, it can describe how fast-selling products or popular works quickly spread one after another.
[Examples]
まさか、こんなに売れるなんて！店頭に並べるそばから、どんどん売れていっているよ。
I can’t believe it’s selling this well! It keeps selling out as soon as we put it on the shelf.
このまんが家の絵は、公開するそばから次々にダウンロードされていきます。
As soon as this manga artist’s illustrations are released, they get downloaded one after another.
⇒It can express a dynamic, fast-moving situation or something gaining attention rapidly.
AてすぐB (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
Something happens immediately after doing something
[Rule]
[V] Verb て form + すぐ
[Examples]
買ってすぐボタンが外れました。
The button came off right after I bought it.
思ったよりつまらなかったので、少しだけ見てすぐ映画館を出ました。
It was more boring than I expected, so I left the theater shortly after watching just a bit.
ここを出てすぐ右に曲がったら、探している銀行がありますよ。
If you turn right just after leaving here, you’ll find the bank you’re looking for.
“AてすぐB” is a grammar pattern that indicates that event B happens immediately after action or event A. The word “すぐ” expresses that there is no time or spatial gap between A and B.
This expression is neutral and objective, often used to state facts. It typically does not include the speaker’s emotions or evaluations, making it suitable for natural, everyday conversation.
[Examples]
家を出てすぐ雨が降り出しました。
I left the house, and it started raining immediately.
⇒ This states the fact that it started raining right after leaving the house.
駅を出てすぐタクシーに乗りました。
I got into a taxi right after leaving the station.
席を立ってすぐ、名前を呼ばれました。
My name was called right after I stood up.
Let’s Compare
Which of the following expressions sounds more natural in the example below?
[Example]
① 子供はプレゼントをもらったそばから箱を開けました。
② 子供はプレゼントをもらってすぐ箱を開けました。
The correct answer is ② “てすぐ”.
This sentence expresses a simple sequence of events—namely, that the child opened the box immediately after receiving the present. It is a neutral and natural way to describe this timing.
Now, how about the following example?
[Example]
① 話を聞いたそばから、忘れるなんてどうしょうもないですね。
② 話を聞いてすぐ、忘れるなんてどうしょうもないですね。
Both expressions can be used, but ① “そばから” conveys a stronger emotional nuance.
It reflects feelings of disappointment or exasperation, as in “I just told you, and you already forgot?”
In contrast, ② presents the fact in a more neutral and objective tone.
Summary
[AたそばからB]
- It describes a situation where, even after action A is completed, action B (often similar) happens immediately again, or A is quickly undone.
- Often used with memory-related expressions like “覚える” and “忘れる” to mean “even if you remember, you soon forget.”
- Commonly used in negative contexts, but can also express positive momentum, such as with popular products or trending content.
[AてすぐB]
- It indicates that action or event B happens immediately after action or event A, expressing the idea of “right after” in terms of time or location.
- A neutral and objective expression.
- Unlike “AたそばからB,” it contains little to no speaker emotion or evaluation.
Similer Articles
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