JLPT N1 Formal relational phrases
をもって marks means or an official date, にあって and にして set a situation or stage, and に則って, に即して, and に照らして mean acting in line with a standard. を踏まえて and を前提として build on a premise, and にまつわる introduces related stories. に至っては and ときたら single out an extreme example, with ときたら sounding casual and critical.
13 N1 grammar points in this group
をもって / をもちまして (o motte / o mochimashite): by means of; with; on / at / as of (time)
Use をもって / をもちまして when you want to: - indicate the method, tool, or attitude used to achieve something - formally mark the start or end of a period (as of a date/time) - add a solemn, official tone to an action or statement
本日をもちまして、営業を終了いたします。 — As of today, we are closing our business.
にあって (ni atte): at; on; during; in the condition of
Use にあって when you want to express that something happens at a specific time, on a particular occasion, during a period, or in the condition of a certain state.
緊急時にあって、冷静な判断が求められる。 — Calm judgment is required in an emergency.
にして (ni shite): at / on / under certain conditions (time, position, age, number of times)
Use にして when you want to single out a particular point in time, a certain age, a specific social position, or a numbered attempt as the setting for an event. The grammar often carries a nuance that the condition is unexpected, noteworthy, or definitive.
彼は10歳にして大学に入学した。 — He entered university at the age of 10.
に則って (ni nottotte): based on; according to; in accordance with
Use に則って when you want to say that someone acts strictly in line with a rule, law, precedent, or established principle. It implies that there is little room for personal interpretation — the rule is the sole guide.
裁判所は法律に則って判断を下した。 — The court handed down its decision in accordance with the law.
に即して (ni sokushite): according to; in keeping with; to be based on
Use に即して when you want to express that something is based on and faithfully follows a concrete, real-world situation — not a vague principle or a theoretical rule. It highlights that the action aligns with facts, conditions, or practical realities.
現状に即して計画を見直した。 — We revised the plan in light of the current situation.
に照らして (ni terashite): according to; in view of; in light of
Use に照らして when you want to express that something is judged, decided, or evaluated with a specific standard, principle, or criterion in mind. The reference point is not a fact or data as in “based on”, but an abstract yardstick.
法律に照らして判断する。 — We will decide in light of the law.
を踏まえて (o fumaete): to be based on; to take into account
Use を踏まえて when you want to say that a conclusion or action is based on a given fact, opinion, or circumstance — and that fact was carefully weighed before proceeding.
ご意見を踏まえて、計画を修正します。 — Based on your opinion, we will revise the plan.
を前提として (o zentei toshite): with the intention to; on the condition / assumption
Use を前提として when you need to lay out the foundation on which a subsequent action rests. It tells the listener or reader, “We are proceeding under the shared understanding that X is true” — and if that premise turns out to be false, the action may be reconsidered or invalidated.
成功を前提として、多額の投資を行った。 — They invested a large sum on the assumption of success.
ものとして (mono toshite): to assume; to suppose; on the presumption that
Use ものとして when you want to express that you are acting on the basis of an assumption, regardless of whether that assumption is fully confirmed. It’s like saying “taking it as a given that…”, “supposing that…”, or “on the understanding that…”.
問題が解決したものとして、次のスケジュールを組みましょう。 — Let's schedule the next steps on the assumption that the problem has been resolved.
にまつわる (ni matsuwaru): to be related to; to concern; associated with
Use にまつわる when you want to express that something is closely related to, associated with, or intertwined with a given noun. It attaches directly to the noun and qualifies a following noun phrase.
この古城にまつわる悲劇の伝説が、観光客を惹きつける。 — The tragic legend associated with this old castle draws tourists.
に～を重ねて (ni ~ o kasanete): success after continuous (effort, work, adjustments, etc.)
Use に～を重ねて when you want to express that a final success was preceded by repeated, stacked instances of the same effort, work, or process. The pattern highlights the *accumulation* as the direct cause of the positive result.
努力に努力を重ねて、遂に夢を叶えた。 — She piled effort upon effort and at last made her dream come true.
に至っては (ni ittate wa): when it comes to; as for
Use に至っては when you want to say "when it comes to (this extreme case)…" — drawing attention to the fact that something is especially true, troubling, or noteworthy about a particular person or situation.
社長に至っては、今回の不祥事を全く把握していなかった。 — As for the president — he had no grasp of the scandal at all.
ときたら (tokitara): when it comes to; concerning
Use ときたら when you want to isolate a topic (usually a noun) and say something negative, critical, or dismissive about it. The speaker is often annoyed, disappointed, or sarcastic.
部長ときたら、いつも文句ばかり言っている。 — Our department head—when it comes to him, he does nothing but complain.
More JLPT N1 grammar groups
- Conditionals, warnings, and depending on (14)
- Although, despite, and against expectation (18)
- Regardless, whether, and no matter what (14)
- Cause, reason, and pretext (14)
- Purpose, intention, and doing two things (15)
- Time: as soon as, turning points, since (23)
- Should, must not, and worth doing (20)
- Strong feelings, extremes, and endings (23)
- Conjecture, likelihood, and judgment (21)
- Cannot, without, and bad outcomes (18)
- Emphasis, limits, and comparison (27)
- Listing examples and alternatives (14)
- Appearance, tendency, and suffixes (20)