Some Grammars using Japanese Verb te-form - Intermediate Lessons: 12

In this lesson, you will learn some new grammars making use of Japanese verb te-form.

You have already learned how to change verbs from dictionary-form to te-form in the basic lessons and how te-form is used in some grammars.

Japanese Verb (て-form) みます

This first grammar is about using te-form to express the action you are trying to do. The sentence pattern of this new grammar is very simple...

It emphasizes that the action denoted by the verb is a trial.

Let's use some examples so that you can see how to use it.

Note

For Verb (て-form) みます: I try, I will try (present tense or future tense)
For Verb (て-form) みました: I tried (past tense)

Japanese Verb (て-form) みたいです

Another common use is to use the たい-form (tai-form) to express something you want to try. The sentence pattern is...

It is used for something you have not done before and you want to try to do it. For example...

Verb1 (て-form) Verb2 and Verb1 (ない-form)で Verb2

In the next grammar Verb1 is an action or condition which accompanies the action denoted by Verb2. Take note that the second Japanese verb (Verb2) is the main action in the sentence.

Let's look at the sentence patterns...

For example...

• 眼鏡をかけて本を読みます。
  megane wo kakete hon wo yomimasu
  
  Meaning: I read book with my glasses on.

眼鏡をかけます (megane wo kakemasu) - to wear glasses. And with this condition remained (i.e. with my glasses on), I read book (doing another action).

• 眼鏡をかけないで本を読みます。
  megane wo kakenaide hon wo yomimasu
  
  Meaning: I read book without my glasses on.

眼鏡をかけない (megane wo kakenai) - not to wear glasses. And with this condition remained (i.e. without my glasses on), I read book (doing another action).

Look at the above two examples, whether the glasses is put on or not when the action 読みます takes place is stated. Verb1 and Verb2 are actions done by the same person.

More Examples

What is the Difference Between this Pattern and ～ながら (nagara)?

Let's use the 眼鏡 (megane) example to show the difference...

In example 1, after putting on glasses, (with this state remained) you continue to read book. Whereas in example 2, you are putting on glasses and reading book at the same time.

Another Sentence Pattern for Verb1 (ない-form)で Verb2

There is another meaning for the same sentence pattern Verb1 (ない-form)で Verb2. This pattern is used when the speaker indicates a course of action taken out of two alternative possibilities presented.

This is different from the previous pattern where the speaker remains under the condition of the first action and performs the second action. For example...

• 来週の日曜日はどこも行かないで、うちでゆっくり休みます。
  raishuu no nichi youbi wa dokomo ikanaide uchi de yukkuri yasumimasu
  
  Meaning: Next Sunday I won't go anywhere. I will rest at home instead.

In this example, the speaker chooses to do one of the two actions (go somewhere and rest at home).

More Examples

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