JLPT N2 Timing: as soon as, since, in the end
か～ないかのうちに and かと思ったら mean "no sooner than", and 次第 means "as soon as" for planned actions. て以来 marks a starting point, ところだった a near miss, and 末に and あげく what happened after a long process. あげく almost always ends badly while 末に can be positive, which is the usual trap.
15 N2 grammar points in this group
と同時に (to douji ni): at the same time as
Use と同時に when you want to show two actions or states occurring simultaneously or one adding another aspect.
ベルが鳴ると同時に、学生たちは教室を出た。 — At the same time as the bell rang, the students left the classroom.
ところに (tokoro ni): just when; at the time
Use ところに when you want to show something happens at a particular moment or situation.
出かけようとしたところに、電話がかかってきた。 — Just when I was about to go out, a phone call came.
ところだった (tokoro datta): almost did; was about to
Use ところだった when you want to say something nearly happened, often narrowly avoided.
もう少しで電車に乗り遅れるところだった。 — I almost missed the train.
もう少しで (mou sukoshi de): almost; nearly, close to
Use もう少しで（もうすこしで） when you want to express that an event or action was extremely close to happening but was narrowly avoided.
もう少しで電車に乗り遅れるところだった。 — I very nearly missed the train.
かと思ったら (ka to omottara): just when; no sooner than
Use かと思ったら（かとおもったら） when you want to express that just when one thing happened, the very next moment something else happened — often surprising.
彼は帰ってきたかと思ったら、すぐに出かけた。 — No sooner had he come home than he went out again.
か～ないかのうちに (ka nai ka no uchi ni): just as; right after; as soon as
Use か～ないかのうちに when you want to express that two events occur in such rapid succession that they feel almost simultaneous.
彼が席に着くか着かないかのうちに、会議が始まった。 — The meeting started the moment he sat down.
次第 (shidai): as soon as; depending on
Use 次第 when you want to show immediate action after completion or dependence on circumstances.
準備ができ次第、出発します。 — We will leave as soon as preparations are complete.
て以来 (te irai): since
Use て以来 when you want to describe a continuing state from a past event.
日本に来て以来、毎日日本語を使っている。 — Since coming to Japan, I have used Japanese every day.
にあたって (ni atatte): on the occasion of; when
Use にあたって when you want to introduce preparation or a comment for an important event.
留学するにあたって、ビザの手続きを確認した。 — When preparing to study abroad, I checked the visa procedures.
に際して (ni saishite): on the occasion of; at the time of
Use に際して when you want to refer formally to the time of an event or action.
入国に際して、必要な書類を提出してください。 — Upon entering the country, please submit the required documents.
に先立ち (ni sakidachi): prior to; before
Use に先立ち when you want to state an action done before an important event.
開会に先立ち、注意事項を説明します。 — Before opening, I will explain the precautions.
ては～ては (tewa tewa): repeatedly doing; every time
Use ては～ては when you want to show actions or situations repeating in alternation.
書いては消し、書いては消して、ようやく完成した。 — I wrote and erased, wrote and erased, and finally completed it.
につけ (ni tsuke): whenever; whether
Use につけ when you want to connect repeated triggers or paired situations with a feeling or result.
この写真を見るにつけ、学生時代を思い出す。 — Whenever I look at this photo, I remember my student days.
末に (sue ni): after; finally
Use 末に when you want to describe a result reached after a long process.
長い話し合いの末に、結論が出た。 — After a long discussion, a conclusion was reached.
あげく (ageku): to end up; in the end; finally; after all
Use あげく when you want to express that a prolonged process ends in a result, usually negative or frustrating.
何時間も話し合ったあげく、結局決まらなかった。 — After hours of discussion, we ended up not deciding anything.
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)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (19)
- Change, manner, and degree (21)
- Relational phrases: based on, regardless of (19)