JLPT N2 Adding, listing, and connecting ideas
ばかりか, のみならず, and に限らず mean "not only ... but also", and はもとより adds "let alone" to an obvious case. しかも, その上, and おまけに stack further points, while ちなみに, そう言えば, and 要するに steer or wrap up the conversation. おまけに usually adds a negative, so using it for a welcome bonus can sound sarcastic.
19 N2 grammar points in this group
ばかりか (bakari ka): not only... but also; as well as
Use ばかりか when you want to express that something goes beyond what was first stated, often with a surprising or emphatic second point.
彼は英語ばかりか、フランス語も話せる。 — Not only can he speak English, he can speak French too.
のみならず (nominarazu): not only; as well as
Use のみならず when you want to add another stronger or wider point in formal writing.
彼は日本語のみならず、中国語も話せる。 — He can speak not only Japanese but also Chinese.
に限らず (ni kagirazu): not only; not limited to
Use に限らず when you want to expand a statement beyond one example or group.
若者に限らず、多くの世代がこのアプリを使っている。 — Not only young people but many generations use this app.
はもとより (wa moto yori): not only; let alone
Use はもとより when you want to say something is obvious and add something beyond it.
彼は日本語はもとより、英語も話せる。 — He can speak not only Japanese but also English.
に加えて (ni kuwaete): in addition to
Use に加えて when you want to add another item, reason, or condition to what was already mentioned.
家賃に加えて、管理費も払う必要がある。 — In addition to rent, you need to pay a management fee.
その上 (sono ue): besides; furthermore
Use その上 when you want to add another fact to strengthen the previous statement.
この部屋は広い。その上、家賃も安い。 — This room is spacious. Furthermore, the rent is cheap.
しかも (shikamo): moreover; and yet
Use しかも when you want to add a surprising or emphatic extra point.
この店は安い。しかもおいしい。 — This restaurant is cheap. Moreover, it's delicious.
おまけに (omake ni): besides; on top of that
Use おまけに when you want to add another point, often negative or emphatic.
雨が降ってきた。おまけに風も強い。 — It started raining. On top of that, the wind is strong.
なお (nao): still; furthermore
Use なお when you want to add continuation, extra information, or formal notes.
雨はなお降り続いている。 — The rain is still continuing to fall.
及び (oyobi): and; as well as
Use 及び when you want to connect nouns formally in notices, rules, and documents.
氏名及び住所を記入してください。 — Please write your name and address.
あるいは (aruiwa): or; either; maybe; perhaps; possibly
Use あるいは when you want to express that presenting formal alternatives or rephrasing an idea in different terms, often tentatively.
電車、あるいはバスで行くことができます。 — You can go by train or by bus.
といった (to itta): such as; like
Use といった when you want to give examples in a concise written style.
京都や奈良といった古い町が好きです。 — I like old cities such as Kyoto and Nara.
やら～やら (yara yara): such things as; all sorts of
Use やら～やら when you want to list multiple examples, often with a busy or messy feeling.
引っ越しで荷造りやら手続きやら大変だった。 — Moving was hard with things like packing and procedures.
ちなみに (chinamini): by the way; in this connection; incidentally; (conjunction)
Use ちなみに when you want to express that providing extra context or a related fact as a side note.
明日は休みです。ちなみに、明後日も休みです。 — Tomorrow is a day off. By the way, the day after is too.
そう言えば (sou ieba): come to think of it
Use そう言えば when you want to bring up something remembered from the current context.
そう言えば、明日は田中さんの誕生日ですね。 — Come to think of it, tomorrow is Tanaka's birthday.
要するに (you suru ni): in short; to sum up
Use 要するに when you want to summarize the main point in simpler words.
要するに、もっと練習が必要だということです。 — In short, it means more practice is necessary.
ということは (to iu koto wa): that means; in other words
Use ということは when you want to draw a conclusion or restate what something implies.
彼が来ないということは、予定が変わったのだろう。 — The fact that he isn't coming means the plan probably changed.
いわゆる (iwayuru): what is called; as it is called; the so-called; so to speak
Use いわゆる when you want to express that marking a term or concept as being commonly referred to in a particular way.
これがいわゆる「一石二鳥」というものだ。 — This is what they call "killing two birds with one stone."
というものだ (to iu mono da): that is what; something called
Use というものだ when you want to state a general judgment about what something naturally is.
困っている人を助けるのが友情というものだ。 — Helping a friend in trouble is what friendship is.
More JLPT N2 grammar groups
- Conditionals and preconditions (10)
- Contrast and concession (17)
- Cause, reason, and "no wonder" (16)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Feelings, resolve, and exclamations (15)
- Possibility, risk, and certainty (14)
- Viewpoint and judging from appearance (11)
- Negation and "far from" (12)
- Limits, exceptions, and minimums (14)
- Timing: as soon as, since, in the end (15)
- Change, manner, and degree (21)
- Relational phrases: based on, regardless of (19)