JLPT N3 Purpose, intention, and effort
ために and ように both mean "in order to", but ために follows a controllable action and ように a state or potential form. ようとする means trying or being about to, つもりで means acting with an intention, and わざと and わざわざ split "on purpose" from "going out of your way". Using ために with a potential form like 話せる is the classic error.
14 N3 grammar points in this group
ために (tame ni): in order to; for; because of
Use ために when you want to express purpose, benefit, or cause depending on context.
合格するために、毎日勉強している。 — I study every day in order to pass.
ように (you ni): so that; in order to
Use ように when you want to express an aim, especially for a state, ability, or negative prevention.
聞こえるように、大きな声で話してください。 — Please speak loudly so that people can hear.
には (ni wa): in order to; for the purpose of
Use には when you want to mark what is necessary for achieving a goal.
合格するには、毎日勉強する必要がある。 — To pass, you need to study every day.
つもりで (tsumori de): with the intention of; as if
Use つもりで when you want to do something with a certain intention or imagined role.
試験を受けるつもりで、練習問題を解いた。 — I solved practice questions as if taking the exam.
つもりだった (tsumori datta): intended to; thought that I had
Use つもりだった when you want to say what someone intended or believed, often different from reality.
昨日連絡するつもりだったが、忘れてしまった。 — I intended to contact you yesterday, but I forgot.
ようとする (you to suru): try to; be about to
Use ようとする when you want to show an attempt or an action just about to happen.
ドアを開けようとしたが、開かなかった。 — I tried to open the door, but it would not open.
ようとしない (you to shinai): does not try to
Use ようとしない when you want to say someone makes no effort or refuses to do something.
彼は理由を話そうとしない。 — He does not try to explain the reason.
なるべく (naru beku): as much as possible
Use なるべく when you want to ask or try to do something to the greatest reasonable extent.
なるべく早く返事をください。 — Please reply as soon as possible.
どうしても (doushitemo): no matter what; at any cost; after all
Use どうしても when you want to express determination, an unavoidable fact, or a strong preference.
どうしても行きたい。 — I want to go no matter what.
わざと (wazato): on purpose; intentionally
Use わざと when you want to say someone did something deliberately, often with blame.
彼はわざと間違えたふりをした。 — He intentionally pretended to make a mistake.
わざわざ (wazawaza): go out of one’s way
Use わざわざ when you want to show that someone made special effort to do something.
わざわざ来てくれてありがとうございます。 — Thank you for going out of your way to come.
つい (tsui): accidentally; without meaning to
Use つい when you want to show an action happened unintentionally or despite knowing better.
ダイエット中なのに、ついケーキを食べてしまった。 — Even though I am on a diet, I accidentally ate cake.
ふりをする (furi o suru): to pretend; to act as if
Use ふりをする when you want to describe someone pretending to be in a state they are not, or disguising their true feelings.
知らないふりをした。 — I pretended not to know.
てはいけないから (te wa ikenai kara): so that; to prevent
Use てはいけないから when you want to explain doing something to avoid a bad or forbidden situation.
遅れてはいけないから、早く出ましょう。 — Let’s leave early so we won’t be late.
Often confused in this group
- ために vs ように — ために marks a goal you achieve by deliberate action; ように marks a state you hope will result. 留学するために貯金する vs 話せるように練習する.
More JLPT N3 grammar groups
- Conditionals, wishes, and regrets (10)
- Contrast and concession: even if, although (13)
- Cause, reason, and result (9)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Hearsay, conjecture, and appearance (15)
- Partial and strong negation (9)
- Time, timing, and gradual change (20)
- Relational phrases: about, for, through (19)
- Compound verbs and suffixes (20)
- Degree, comparison, and emphasis (20)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (18)