JLPT N2 Obligation, advice, and no choice
ことだ gives direct advice, ものだ states what is normally expected, and ねばならない and てはならない are written forms of "must" and "must not". ざるを得ない and よりほかない mean having no alternative, and ずに済む and なくて済む mean you got out of doing something. ざるを得ない takes the ない-stem, with する becoming せざるを得ない, which trips up many learners.
15 N2 grammar points in this group
ことだ (koto da): should do~ (used for suggestions or giving advice)
Use ことだ when you want to express that the speaker advises or strongly suggests that something is the best course of action.
疲れた時は、ゆっくり休むことだ。 — When you're tired, you should get plenty of rest.
ものだ (mono da): express nostalgic memories, general truths, or emotional reactions
Use ものだ when you want to express that used to express nostalgic memories, general truths about how things should be, or natural emotional reactions.
子供の頃は、よくここで遊んだものだ。 — When I was a child, I often used to play here.
ものではない (mono dewa nai): shouldn't do something; it's impossible to
Use ものではない when you want to express that something should not be done based on general moral principle, social norm, or common sense.
人の悪口を言うものではない。 — You shouldn't speak ill of others.
ねばならない (neba naranai): must; have to
Use ねばならない when you want to state an obligation in a firm, written, or old-fashioned way.
学生は規則を守らねばならない。 — Students must follow the rules.
てはならない (tewa naranai): must not
Use てはならない when you want to state a prohibition in a formal or strict way.
個人情報を外部に漏らしてはならない。 — Personal information must not be leaked outside.
に越したことはない (ni koshita koto wa nai): it is best to
Use に越したことはない when you want to say one option is safest or preferable, even if not absolutely required.
準備は早いに越したことはない。 — It is best to prepare early.
に限る (ni kagiru): nothing is better than
Use に限る when you want to say something is the best choice in a given situation.
疲れた日は早く寝るに限る。 — On tired days, nothing is better than going to bed early.
ざるを得ない (zaru o enai): have no choice but to
Use ざるを得ない when you want to say one cannot avoid doing something.
電車が止まったので、タクシーで行かざるを得ない。 — The train stopped, so I have no choice but to go by taxi.
よりほかない (yori hoka nai): have no choice but
Use よりほかない when you want to say there is no alternative except one action.
電車が止まったので、歩いて帰るよりほかない。 — The train stopped, so I have no choice but to walk home.
てはいられない (tewa irarenai): can't afford to
Use てはいられない when you want to say there is no time or room to keep doing something.
試験が近いので、遊んではいられない。 — The exam is near, so I can't afford to play around.
てばかりはいられない (te bakari wa irarenai): can't keep doing
Use てばかりはいられない when you want to say one cannot continue only doing something because action is needed.
失敗を悔やんでばかりはいられない。 — I can't keep only regretting the failure.
なくて済む (nakute sumu): get by without doing
Use なくて済む when you want to say an expected action, cost, or trouble is avoided.
予約しておいたので、並ばなくて済んだ。 — Because I reserved, I got by without waiting in line.
ずに済む (zu ni sumu): get by without doing
Use ずに済む when you want to say an expected action, cost, or trouble was avoided.
早く謝ったので、大きな問題にならずに済んだ。 — Because I apologized early, it didn't become a big problem.
たまえ (tamae): do; command to do
Use たまえ when you want to give a direct command from superior to inferior.
早く席に着きたまえ。 — Take your seat quickly.
お～願う (o negau): please do; ask someone to do
Use お～願う when you want to make a polite request using humble/formal wording.
こちらにお名前をお書き願います。 — Please write your name here.
More JLPT N2 grammar groups
- Conditionals and preconditions (10)
- Contrast and concession (17)
- Cause, reason, and "no wonder" (16)
- 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)