B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 4

Timing, Sequence, and Final Results

5 Total Rules
54 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of narrative flow, from deliberate preparation to final, often surprising, results.

  • Construct precise sequences using formal 'upon doing' structures.
  • Express final outcomes that follow long, arduous processes.
  • Identify the specific conditions that dictate future results.
Connect events with logic, depth, and native precision.

What You'll Learn

Hey there! We've hit a super important section that's going to elevate your conversations to the next level. In this chapter, we're going to dive deep into exactly how to talk about the sequence of events, the final outcomes of long processes, and how a certain event led to a specific result. You won't just be saying

first this, then that
anymore. Instead, you'll learn how to express "Only after I've definitely completed this preparation, then I'll move on to that other thing" using the structure ~ta ue de. Imagine you're planning a trip to Japan. You want to say,
You can only buy a plane ticket after reserving the hotel,
or
So-and-so went to Japan once and never came back!
That's where ~kiri comes in. Or perhaps, after countless hours and sleepless nights studying for an exam, what was the final result? If the outcome wasn't great, ageku comes to your rescue to express,
After all that effort, it ended up being for nothing!
But if it was the culmination of a long process, sue ni is your go-to. And of course, when you want to say,
Everything depends on the weather,
you'll master ~shidai da. After this chapter, you'll be able to tell stories where you precisely specify when, what happened, and why that event occurred. You'll be able to differentiate between a regular outcome and one that came after significant effort. Your speaking will sound much more natural and native-like, because it's these subtle nuances that strengthen your conversations. Ready to jump in?

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Explain a series of complex actions leading to a final outcome using appropriate grammar for positive or negative results.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to a crucial chapter in your journey to mastering B2 Japanese grammar! This section is designed to significantly enhance your ability to describe events with precision, connect causes to effects, and articulate the nuances of timing and sequence. Moving beyond simple "first X, then Y" constructions, you'll learn sophisticated ways to express complex relationships between actions and their outcomes. Understanding these patterns is key to sounding more natural and fluent, allowing you to tell compelling stories and engage in deeper conversations.
In this chapter, we'll equip you with the tools to express ideas like "Only after I've thoroughly prepared this, will I move on to that," or "After all that effort, the result was unfortunately X." We’ll explore how to convey that an action led to a specific, sometimes unexpected, final result, and how certain outcomes are contingent upon particular conditions. These structures are frequently encountered in both spoken and written Japanese grammar, making them indispensable for anyone aiming for an advanced level of comprehension and expression.
By the end of this module, you won't just be able to state facts; you'll be able to weave narratives that clearly define *when* something happened, *what* followed, and *why* it unfolded the way it did. This mastery of timing and consequence will elevate your communication, making your Japanese sound much more native-like and sophisticated.

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the core grammar patterns that will unlock new levels of expression in your Japanese grammar journey.
First up is ~ta ue de (~た上で), which means "upon doing X" or "after thoroughly doing X, then Y." This structure emphasizes that the first action must be completely and carefully finished before the second action can begin. It often implies a formal or deliberate process.
Example

詳しい説明を読んだ上で、ご判断ください。(Kuwashii setsumei o yonda ue de, gohandan kudasai.) - Please make your decision after reading the detailed explanation.

Next, we have ~kiri (~きり), which has a couple of powerful uses. It can mean "since X happened, nothing else has occurred," implying a lack of change or continuation of a state. It can also mean "only X," highlighting exclusivity.
Example (lack of change): 彼はアメリカへ行ったきり、一度も連絡がない。(Kare wa Amerika e itta kiri, ichido mo renraku ga nai.) - He went to America and hasn't contacted us even once since then.
Example (only): 彼女は一人きりでその仕事をやり遂げた。(Kanojo wa hitori kiri de sono shigoto o yaritoeta.) - She completed that job all by herself.
Then there’s ~sue ni (~末に), meaning "at the end of (a long process), finally X." This pattern is used to describe a final outcome that results from a prolonged effort, discussion, or period of time. The outcome can be positive, negative, or neutral, but it always implies a culmination.
Example

長年の研究の末に、新しい治療法が発見された。(Naganen no kenkyuu no sue ni, atarashii chiryouhou ga hakken sareta.) - After many years of research, a new treatment method was discovered.

In contrast, ~ageku (~挙句) also means "after much effort/trouble, X happened," but it *always* implies a negative, disappointing, or regrettable outcome. It's perfect for expressing exasperation or bad results despite significant investment.
Example

散々悩んだ挙句、結局何もしなかった。(Sanzan nayanda ageku, kekkyoku nani mo shinakatta.) - After agonizing over it for ages, I ended up doing nothing.

Finally, we have ~shidai da (~次第だ), which translates to "it depends on X" or "the outcome is determined by X." This expression is used to state that a particular result or decision is contingent upon a certain factor.
Example

成功するかどうかは、あなたの努力次第だ。(Seikou suru ka dou ka wa, anata no doryoku shidai da.) - Whether you succeed or not depends on your effort.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "会議の後に、決定しました。" (Kaigi no ato ni, kettei shimashita.) - After the meeting, we decided.
✓ Correct: "会議でよく話し合った上で、決定しました。" (Kaigi de yoku hanashi-atta ue de, kettei shimashita.)
*Explanation:* While ~no ato ni simply means "after," ~ta ue de implies that the meeting's discussions were thoroughly completed and considered *before* making the decision, adding a layer of deliberation and formality.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "彼は日本へ行った後、連絡がない。" (Kare wa Nihon e itta ato, renraku ga nai.) - He went to Japan, and after that, there's no contact.
✓ Correct: "彼は日本へ行ったきり、連絡がない。" (Kare wa Nihon e itta kiri, renraku ga nai.)
*Explanation:* Using ~kiri here emphasizes that the *lack of contact* has persisted *since* he went to Japan, highlighting the continued state of no contact, which ~no ato ni doesn't convey as strongly.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "たくさん勉強した後、試験に落ちた。" (Takusan benkyou shita ato, shiken ni ochita.) - After studying a lot, I failed the exam.
✓ Correct: "たくさん勉強した挙句、試験に落ちた。" (Takusan benkyou shita ageku, shiken ni ochita.)
*Explanation:* While the wrong sentence is grammatically correct, ~ageku perfectly captures the sense of disappointment and negative outcome *despite* significant effort, which is a key nuance of this B2 Japanese grammar point.

Real Conversations

A

A

まず資料を全部読んだ上で、質問してください。(Mazu shiryō o zenbu yonda ue de, shitsumon shite kudasai.)

(First, please ask questions after you've read all the materials thoroughly.)

B

B

わかりました。急いで目を通すきりではなく、しっかり読み込みます。(Wakarimashita. Isoide me o tosu kiri de wa naku, shikkari yomikomimasu.)

(Understood. I won't just skim through it; I'll read it carefully.)

A

A

長い交渉の末に、ついに契約が成立しましたね。(Nagai koushou no sue ni, tsui ni keiyaku ga seiritsu shimashita ne.)

(After long negotiations, the contract was finally concluded, wasn't it?)

B

B

ええ、でも結局、費用は当初の倍になってしまって… 頑張った挙句、この結果かと思うと複雑です。(Ee, demo kekkyoku, hiyou wa tousho no bai ni natte shimatte… Ganbatta ageku, kono kekka ka to omou to fukuzatsu desu.)

(Yes, but in the end, the cost doubled from the original... After all that effort, to think this is the result makes me feel complicated.)

A

A

明日のイベント、開催できるかどうかは天気次第だね。(Ashita no ibento, kaisai dekiru ka dou ka wa tenki shidai da ne.)

(Whether tomorrow's event can be held depends on the weather.)

B

B

そうだね。この雨が止んだきり、晴れてくれるといいんだけど。(Sou da ne. Kono ame ga yanda kiri, harete kureru to ii n da kedo.)

(That's right. I hope this rain stops and stays stopped, and it becomes sunny.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How does ~ta ue de differ from simply using ~te kara in Japanese grammar?

~ta ue de implies a more deliberate, thorough completion of the first action as a prerequisite for the second, often in formal contexts, whereas ~te kara simply means "after" without that added nuance of careful consideration.

Q

Can ~kiri be used to describe a one-time event that happened and then nothing else occurred?

Yes, absolutely. For example, 「彼は一度きりしか日本に来なかった」(Kare wa ichido kiri shika Nihon ni konakatta) means "He only came to Japan once."

Q

What's a good way to remember the difference between ~sue ni and ~ageku for B2 Japanese?

Think of ~sue ni as "after a long road, finally X (neutral/positive outcome)" and ~ageku as "after a long struggle, sadly X (negative outcome)."

Cultural Context

These B2 Japanese grammar patterns are incredibly common and reflect a cultural emphasis on process, effort, and consequence. ~ta ue de highlights the Japanese value of careful deliberation and consensus-building before action. ~sue ni and ~ageku both acknowledge the hard work put into a situation, but ~ageku allows for the expression of disappointment without directly blaming others, often used in self-deprecating or reflective contexts. ~kiri is often heard in casual conversation to express a sense of finality or an unchanging state, while ~shidai da reflects a pragmatic understanding of external factors influencing outcomes.

Key Examples (8)

1

Tantousha to soudan shita ue de, gorenraku shimasu.

I will contact you upon consulting with the person in charge.

Formal Sequence: Upon doing X (~ta ue de)
2

Riyou kiyaku o oyomi ni natta ue de, touroku botan o oshite kudasai.

Please press the register button upon reading the terms of use.

Formal Sequence: Upon doing X (~ta ue de)
3

My son said 'I'm leaving' this morning and hasn't come back yet.

My son said 'I'm leaving' this morning and hasn't come back yet.

Japanese Grammar: ~kiri (Since... and nothing else)
4

I met him 3 years ago and haven't contacted him even once since then.

I met him 3 years ago and haven't contacted him even once since then.

Japanese Grammar: ~kiri (Since... and nothing else)
5

Sanzan mayotta sue ni, kekkyoku nani mo kawanakatta.

After hesitating endlessly, I ended up buying nothing.

Japanese Grammar: Sue ni (At the end of...)
6

San-jikan no giron no sue ni, yōyaku resutoran ga kimatta.

After three hours of discussion, we finally decided on a restaurant.

Japanese Grammar: Sue ni (At the end of...)
7

Sanzan mayotta ageku, kekkyoku nani mo kawanakatta.

After hesitating for so long, I ended up not buying anything at all.

Japanese '~ageku': When things end badly after much effort
8

Sanjikan mo naranda ageku, urikire da to iwanareta.

After queuing for three hours, I was told they were sold out.

Japanese '~ageku': When things end badly after much effort

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Use for professional settings

This is your go-to for sounding like a pro.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Formal Sequence: Upon doing X (~ta ue de)
💡

Check the Tense

Always check if your verb is in the past tense. If it's not, you probably need 'dake'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: ~kiri (Since... and nothing else)
💡

Focus on the process

Always ensure the word before 'sue ni' describes a process, not just a state.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: Sue ni (At the end of...)
💡

Check the result

Before using ageku, ask: 'Is this result bad?' If yes, you are safe.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese '~ageku': When things end badly after much effort

Key Vocabulary (5)

検討(けんとう) consideration 再会(さいかい) reunion 苦労(くろう) hardship/effort 結果(けっか) result 判断(はんだん) judgment

Real-World Preview

briefcase

The Big Project Decision

Review Summary

  • Verb-ta + ue de
  • Verb-ta + kiri
  • Noun + no / Verb-ta + sue ni
  • Noun + no / Verb-ta + ageku
  • Noun + shidai da

Common Mistakes

You must use the Ta-form (past) before 'ue de' because the first action must be finished.

Wrong: 勉強(べんきょう)する上(うえ)で、合格(ごうかく)した。
Correct: 勉強(べんきょう)した上(うえ)で、合格(ごうかく)した。

'Ageku' is exclusively for negative outcomes. Do not use it for success.

Wrong: 努力(どりょく)した結果(けっか)の挙句(あげく)、成功(せいこう)した。
Correct: 努力(どりょく)した挙句(あげく)、失敗(しっぱい)した。

'Shidai' requires a noun indicating a condition, not just the subject itself.

Wrong: 雨(あめ)次第(しだい)だ。
Correct: 雨(あめ)が降(ふ)るかどうかは、天候(てんこう)次第(しだい)だ。

Next Steps

You've conquered Chapter 4! Your ability to weave complex narratives is truly impressive. Keep building on this momentum.

Listen to a Japanese podcast and identify the narrative sequence.

Continue to: Describing Feelings, Vibes, and Overwhelming States

Quick Practice (10)

Fill in the blank.

散々迷った___、結局買わなかった。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 挙句
Past verb + ageku.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese '~ageku': When things end badly after much effort

Fill in the blank.

長い___の末に、成功した。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 努力
Effort is a process.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: Sue ni (At the end of...)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

走る挙句、疲れた。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 走った挙句、疲れた
Must be past tense.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese '~ageku': When things end badly after much effort

Fill in the blank.

{彼|かれ}に{会った|あった}___、{連絡|れんらく}がない。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: きり
Kiri is used for past actions.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: ~kiri (Since... and nothing else)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

彼は考えた挙句に、成功した。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 彼は考えた末に、成功した
Ageku is for negative outcomes.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese '~ageku': When things end badly after much effort

Choose the correct form.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 食べた末に
Must be past tense.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: Sue ni (At the end of...)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

会議末に、決定した。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 会議の末に
Need 'no' and 'ni'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: Sue ni (At the end of...)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 勉強した挙句、落ちた
Ageku is for negative outcomes.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese '~ageku': When things end badly after much effort

Fill in the blank.

天気___です。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 次第
No particle needed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: It depends on... (~次第だ / shidai da)

Choose the correct one.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 天気次第だ
Direct attachment.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Japanese Grammar: It depends on... (~次第だ / shidai da)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Yes, as long as it's a verb that can be put into the past tense.
No, it sounds too stiff.
No, Kiri is for past or current states.
It can be both formal and informal depending on the context.
Usually no, use 'ageku' for negative outcomes.
Yes, it is common in writing and formal speech.
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Describing Feelings, Vibes, and Overwhelming States
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