JLPT N3 Grammar – The two uses of “〜ように”
Table of Contents
1. The two uses of “〜ように”
2. Aように①
3. Aように②
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: How do you use “〜ように”?
A: “〜ように” has two main uses:
① To express example or similarity (the same as 〜)
② To express hope or purpose (in order to / so as not to).
Aように ① (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
Expresses comparison, illustrating an example or something similar to “like ~”
[Rule]
[V] Verb plain form + ように
[A] い adjective plain form + ように
[Na] な adjective + ように / な adjective な + である + ように
[N] Noun + である + ように
[Part of Speech]
な adjective
In this usage, it expresses example or similarity and means “almost the same as” or “in accordance with A.”
When used to show agreement or correspondence, it is often used together with words such as “次 (as follows)”, “左記 (as stated below)”, “上記 (as mentioned above) “.
[Examples]（Similarity）
ネイティブスピーカーが話すように話してみます。
I will try speaking like a native speaker.
⇒ It means taking a native speaker as an example and speaking in the same way.
この景色は絵のように美しいです。
This scenery is as beautiful as a painting.
これと同じように書いてください。
Please write it in the same way as this.
*“同じ” is a special な adjective that keeps its form and is used as is.
[Examples]（Agreement）
今回の会議の内容は次のように決まりました。
The content of this meeting has been decided as follows.
⇒ This expression is used when presenting details after saying “as follows,” indicating that something matches or corresponds to the stated content.
契約の条件は、下記のように定められています。
The terms of the contract are specified as stated below.
会議の結果は、以下のようにまとめられました。
The results of the meeting are summarized as follows.
Aように② (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
Indicates hope or purpose, meaning “in order to” or “to avoid”
[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary / ない form + ように
In this usage, it expresses hope or purpose, and is used in the same meaning as “in order to” or “so as not to.”
It conveys the speaker’s feeling of wishing for A to come true or wanting to make A possible.
[Examples]
合格できるように毎日勉強しています。
I study every day so that I can pass the exam.
風邪をひかないようにサプリを飲んでいます。
I take supplements so that I won’t catch a cold.
みんなが理解しやすいように、写真や図を使った資料を作りました。
I made materials using pictures and charts so that everyone can easily understand them.
最近の新聞は、高齢者も読みやすいように文字が大きくなっています。
Recently, newspapers have made their letters larger so that elderly people can read them more easily.
遅刻しないように早く家を出ました。
I left home early so that I wouldn’t be late.
犯人は警察に見つからないように逃げているようです。
The criminal seems to be running away so that the police won’t find him.
Let’s Compare
“〜ように” has the same form but carries different meanings depending on context.
Which meaning does the following sentence express — example/similarity or hope/purpose?
[Example]
マリアさんが話すように日本語を話したいです。
The correct answer is example/similarity.
The speaker takes Maria’s Japanese as an example and expresses the desire to speak in the same way.
On the other hand, when “〜ように” expresses hope or purpose, it is often used with non-volitional verbs or potential verbs (e.g., 見える “can see,” 聞こえる “can hear,” わかる “understand,” できる “can do”).
[Examples]
日本語が話せるように、毎日レッスンを受けています。
I take lessons every day so that I can speak Japanese.
⇒ “話せる (can speak)” is a potential verb.
よく見えるように、前の席に座りましょう。
Let’s sit in the front so that we can see well.
However, when the subject is in the third person, volitional verbs can also be used.
[Examples]
多くの人が参加できるように、広い会場で行いましょう。
Let’s hold the event in a large venue so that many people can participate.
多くの人が参加するように、広い会場で行いましょう。
Let’s hold the event in a large venue so that many people will participate.
⇒ In this case, both potential verbs and volitional verbs can be used naturally.
Summary
[Aように① Example / Similarity]
- Used to present A as an example, meaning “almost the same as” or “in accordance with A.”
- When expressing agreement or correspondence, it is often used together with words such as “次 (as follows)”, “左記 (as stated below)”, “上記 (as mentioned above) “.
[Aように② Hope / Purpose]
- Used to express a hope or purpose, meaning “in order to” or “so as not to.”
- It conveys the speaker’s feeling of wishing for A to come true.
- Usually used with non-volitional or potential verbs, but when the subject is in the third person, volitional verbs can also be used.
Similer Articles
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