JLPT N2 Cause, reason, and "no wonder"
からこそ singles out a reason, ばかりに blames one small cause for a bad result, and せいか hedges it as "perhaps because". からには, 以上は, and 上は mean "now that" and lead to a duty or resolve, and だけあって and だけのことはある praise a result as fitting its cause. Mixing ばかりに into neutral sentences is a common slip, since it always implies regret.
16 N2 grammar points in this group
もの / もん (mono mon): because; indicates reason/ excuse/ dissatisfaction
Use もの / もん when you want to express that a colloquial, often childlike way of giving a reason, excuse, or justification — especially when complaining.
だって、疲れたんだもの。 — But I'm tired!
だって (datte): because; but; after all; even; too
Use だって when you want to express that a colloquial way to give a reason, excuse, or to say 'even X too'.
だって、誰も教えてくれなかったんだ。 — But nobody told me!
ものだから (mono dakara): so; therefore; the reason for something
Use ものだから when you want to express that providing a reason or excuse for something, often with a tone of explanation or mild apology.
急に雨が降ったものだから、びしょ濡れになった。 — It suddenly started raining, so I got soaked.
ことだから (koto dakara): because; since
Use ことだから when you want to express that because of someone's known character or typical behavior, a certain outcome can be predicted.
彼のことだから、きっとまた遅刻するだろう。 — Knowing him, he'll probably be late again.
せいか (sei ka): perhaps because
Use せいか when you want to suggest an uncertain cause for a result.
寝不足のせいか、今日は頭が重い。 — Perhaps because I didn't get enough sleep, my head feels heavy today.
ばかりに (bakari ni): simply because; on account of~ (negative result)
Use ばかりに when you want to express that one single reason caused an unfortunate or regrettable result.
一言余計なことを言ったばかりに、喧嘩になった。 — Just because I said one word too many, it turned into a fight.
からこそ (kara koso): precisely because
Use からこそ when you want to express that a result happens exactly and specifically because of the reason stated.
君だからこそ、本当のことを話すんだ。 — It's precisely because it's you that I'm telling the truth.
だけに (dake ni): being the case; precisely because; as one would expect
Use だけに when you want to express that a result is amplified or contrasted precisely because of someone's quality, effort, or situation.
期待していただけに、結果が残念だ。 — Precisely because I had high hopes, the result is disappointing.
だけあって (dake atte): being the case; precisely because; as expected from
Use だけあって when you want to express that a quality or result is exactly what you would expect from someone's status or effort.
プロだけあって、彼の演奏は素晴らしい。 — As you'd expect from a professional, his performance is wonderful.
だけのことはある (dake no koto wa aru): no wonder; as expected of; not ... for nothing
Use だけのことはある when you want to express that a good result is exactly explained by the effort, practice, or status behind it.
毎日練習しただけのことはあって、彼の演奏は素晴らしい。 — His performance is wonderful — just what you'd expect from someone who practiced every day.
からには (kara niwa): now that; since; so long as; because
Use からには when you want to express that now that a fact or decision is established, a corresponding obligation follows.
やるからには、最後までやり遂げたい。 — Now that I'm doing it, I want to see it through to the end.
以上は (ijou wa): because; since; seeing that
Use 以上は（いじょうは） when you want to express that since a certain fact or situation holds true, a resulting obligation follows.
約束した以上は、必ず守る。 — Now that I've promised, I will definitely keep my word.
上は (ue wa): now that; since
Use 上は when you want to state a responsibility or resolve after a decision or fact.
引き受けた上は、最後までやります。 — Now that I have accepted it, I will do it to the end.
も当然だ (mo touzen da): it's only natural; no wonder; might as well
Use も当然だ（もとうぜんだ） when you want to express that a situation or outcome is entirely expected, justified, and natural given the circumstances.
彼があんなに怒るのも当然だ。 — No wonder he got so angry.
て当然だ (te touzen da): it is natural that
Use て当然だ when you want to say a result or reaction is only natural or expected.
あれだけ努力したのだから、合格して当然だ。 — Since she worked that hard, it is natural that she passed.
のももっともだ (no mo motto mo da): no wonder; only natural
Use のももっともだ when you want to say someone's reaction or a result is understandable.
彼が怒るのももっともだ。 — It is no wonder he is angry.
More JLPT N2 grammar groups
- Conditionals and preconditions (10)
- Contrast and concession (17)
- 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)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (19)
- Timing: as soon as, since, in the end (15)
- Change, manner, and degree (21)
- Relational phrases: based on, regardless of (19)