JLPT N2 Grammar – The difference between “～ばかりだ” and “～一方だ”
Table of Contents
1. The difference between “〜ばかりだ” and “〜一方だ“
2. 〜ばかりだ
3. 〜一方だ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments
Q: What’s the difference between ”〜ばかりだ” and ”〜一方だ”?
A: Both expressions indicate that “a change continues,” but there are the following differences:
| Direction of change | Nuance | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜ばかりだ | Usually in a negative direction | Negative (deterioration, increase, etc.) | Often used in spoken language |
| 〜一方だ | Can be either positive or negative | Objective or neutral | Often used in written language |
〜ばかりだ (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
Expresses a continuous change or tendency toward a negative direction
[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary form + ばかりだ
* The verb is a verb of change(増える・減る/上がる・下がる/〜ていく/〜くなる/〜になる etc.)
This expression is often used to describe undesirable changes such as worsening or increasing problems, and it carries a negative connotation.
Also, it is commonly used in spoken language.
[Examples]
ガソリンの値段は上がるばかりです。
The price of gasoline only keeps going up.
⇒ It represents a negative change where “the price of gasoline keeps increasing.”
薬を飲んでいるのに、症状はひどくなるばかりです。
Despite taking the medicine, my symptoms are only getting worse.
⇒ It represents a negative change where “the symptoms are progressively getting worse”.
30代になってから、体重が増えるばかりです。
Ever since I turned 30, my weight just keeps increasing.
人手不足で、仕事は増えるばかりだよ。
Because we’re short-staffed, the amount of work just keeps increasing.
〜一方だ (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
This expresses a continual change or behavior in a specific direction
[Rules]
[V] Verb dictionary form + 一方だ
[N] Noun + の + 一方だ
* The verb is a verb of change(増える・減る/上がる・下がる/〜ていく/〜くなる/〜になる etc.)
Often used to emphasize trends of increase, improvement, deterioration, etc., it can be used with both positive and negative connotations.
Also, it is commonly used in written language.
[Examples]
日本の人口は減る一方です。
Japan’s population is continuously decreasing.
⇒ It represents an unfavorable change where “the population is decreasing”.
このホテルの利用者は増加の一方です。
The number of users of this hotel is only increasing.
⇒ It represents a positive change where “the number of people staying at the hotel is increasing”.
この地域では、過疎化が進む一方です。
Depopulation in this area keeps progressing.
ネットショッピングを利用する人は増える一方です。
The number of people using online shopping keeps growing.
Let’s Compare
[Example①]
◯ 経済は悪化するばかりです。
The economy is only going to get worse.
◯ 経済は悪化する一方です。
The economy is only going to get worse.
⇒ Both indicate change, so both are correct.
[Example②]
× 売り上げは上がるばかりです。
◯ 売り上げは上がる一方です。
Sales are only going up.
⇒ ”Sales increasing” indicates a positive change, so “〜ばかりだ” cannot be used.
[Be Careful!]
Both expressions indicate a change, so it is incorrect to attach words indicating a state to those indicating a change.
× 多いばかりです
× 多い一方です
*The term “多い” indicates a state, so this is incorrect.
◯ 多くなるばかりです
◯ 多くなる一方です
*The term “多くなる” indicates a change, so this is correct.
*When using “ばかりだ” or “一方だ,” make sure that the verb is one that expresses change, such as “〜になる,” “〜ていく,” “〜てくる,” “〜上がる,” or “〜減る.”
Summary
[〜ばかりだ]
- Indicates that a situation continues to change in a negative direction.
- Used when describing undesirable changes or deterioration.
- Often used in spoken language.
[〜一方だ]
- Indicates that a situation continues to change in one direction.
- Can be used for both positive and negative changes.
- Often used in written language.
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. 一方
日本に来る旅行者の数は増える一方です。
The number of travelers coming to Japan continues to increase.
*“ばかりだ” cannot be used for positive situations. (However, if the speaker has a negative feeling about travelers coming to Japan, using “bakarida” is also possible in that context.)
A. 一方
会社の業績がいいので、給料は上がる一方です。
With the company’s performance doing well, salaries are only going up.
*Since “上がる” expresses a positive change, “ばかりだ” sounds unnatural. By using “一方だ,” you can objectively describe the state of something that continues to increase.
A. Both are correct
増税で生活は苦しくなるばかりです。
増税で生活は苦しくなる一方です。
Due to the consumption tax hike, life is becoming more difficult. *Both can be used, but “ばかりだ” expresses the speaker’s personal feeling or emotion more strongly, while “一方だ” sounds slightly more formal and gives a more objective impression.
A. 一方
薬を変えてから、体調は良くなる一方です。
Ever since changing my medication, my physical condition has only improved.
*“ばかりだ” cannot be used for positive situations, so “一方だ” is more appropriate.
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