JLPT N1 grammar by function

JLPT N1 Purpose, intention, and doing two things

べく and んがために are formal "in order to", and ことのないように means "so as not to". がてら, かたがた, and かたわら combine two activities, differing in whether it is a one-off errand or an ongoing side role. てみせる shows determination, while たつもりはない denies intent, and 敢えて marks doing something deliberately despite reasons not to.

15 N1 grammar points in this group

べく (beku): in order to; for the purpose of

Use べく when you want to express an action taken with a clear, determined goal. It carries a stiff, bookish tone and is rooted in classical Japanese.

彼は成功するべく、全力を尽くした。 — He did everything in his power in order to succeed.

んがために (n ga tame ni): in order to

Use んがために when you want to express that an action is undertaken intentionally and with strong determination to achieve a goal.

生きんがために、戦う。 — I fight in order to live.

ことのないように (koto no nai you ni): so as not to; to not

Use ことのないように when you want to express prevention — that an action or state is deliberately avoided. It carries a formal, careful nuance, as if you’re erecting a barrier against an undesirable outcome.

間違いのないようによく確認してください。 — Please check carefully so that there are no mistakes.

を兼ねて (o kanete): also for the purpose of

Use を兼ねて when you want to say that you're doing something for an additional purpose beyond the main one. It's like "also for the purpose of," "doubling as," or "combining X with Y." The nuance is that the secondary purpose is clearly stated and intentional, not accidental.

気分転換を兼ねて、近所を散歩しました。 — I took a walk around the neighborhood also for a change of pace.

がてら (gatera): while; on the same occasion; at the same time; coincidentally

Use がてら when you want to express that you do an additional activity on the same occasion as a main activity — often because the main activity makes it convenient. The main activity is typically a movement, visit, or errand; the secondary action piggybacks on it.

散歩がてら、少し買い物をしてきた。 — I took a walk and did a little shopping on the same occasion.

かたがた (katagata): while; at the same time; incidentally; for the purpose of

Use かたがた when you want to express that one action is done while taking the opportunity to do another, often in formal or written contexts.

お礼かたがた、状況をご報告します。 — While expressing my gratitude, I will update you on the situation.

かたわら (katawara): while; besides; at the same time; in addition

Use かたわら when you want to say that while someone is doing their main job, studying, or fulfilling a primary role, they also engage in another regular activity on the side.

彼は会社員として働くかたわら、夜間の大学に通っている。 — He works as a company employee while attending night university.

てみせる (te miseru): I’ll do my best; I'll definitely do; I'll show you

Use てみせる when you want to express strong personal determination to carry out an action and, typically, to show the outcome as proof of your capability. The speaker is not just stating an intent; they are making a declaration that carries an implicit "watch me" or "I'll prove it to you.

来年こそ、合格してみせる。 — Next year, for sure, I'll pass (you'll see).

たつもりはない (ta tsumori wa nai): have no intention to; didn't mean to

Use たつもりはない when you want to deny that you had any intention behind a past action. You are saying: "I did not do it with that intention" or "I didn't mean to do that." It is a strong claim about your own past mental state.

批判したつもりはない。ただ意見を言っただけだ。 — I didn't mean to criticize. I was just stating my opinion.

たことにする / たことになる (ta koto ni suru / ta koto ni naru): pretend to; see things as untrue; contrary to the truth

Use たことにする when you deliberately treat a past event as true, even though it didn’t happen — to pretend, to proceed as if something occurred, or to consciously ignore the real facts.

昨日の失敗はなかったことにする。 — I’ll pretend yesterday’s failure never happened.

敢えて (aete): dare to; daringly; deliberately; purposely

Use 敢えて when you want to express that someone deliberately does something difficult, risky, or contrary to expectation — or when you want to soften a strong statement by framing it as a deliberate choice.

敢えて言うなら、彼の方が少し上手いと思う。 — If I dare say so, I think he is a bit better.

あくまでも (akumade mo): to the end; persistently; absolutely; is still very

Use あくまでも when you want to underline absolute persistence, an unchanged condition, or an emphatic refusal. It signals that something continues exactly as stated — often against expectations or despite pressure.

私はあくまでも反対です。 — I am absolutely opposed to it.

にかまけて (ni kamakete): to be too busy; to focus / concentrate only on

Use にかまけて when you want to say that a person is so busy concentrating on one activity or matter that they fail to attend to other important things. It carries an implication of neglect or irresponsibility.

仕事にかまけて、家族をかえりみない。 — He is so busy with work that he neglects his family.

はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで (wa socchinoke de / o socchinoke de): ignoring (one thing) for (another); instead of

Use はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで when you want to express that a person or group is ignoring one thing in favor of another, especially when the ignored thing should take precedence. The speaker is often critical, surprised, or amused.

彼は仕事はそっちのけで、毎日ゲームに熱中している。 — He’s obsessed with playing games every day, ignoring his work completely.

はさておき (wa sateoki): setting aside

Use はさておき when you want to set aside a topic, consideration, or issue temporarily in order to discuss or act on something else. It signals that the item is not being dismissed, only deferred.

冗談はさておき、本題に入りましょう。 — Jokes aside, let's get to the main topic.

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