JLPT N2

JLPT N2 Grammar List: 30 Essential Patterns with Examples

March 202612 min read

JLPT N2 is the threshold between intermediate and advanced Japanese. The grammar at this level is characterised by formal conjunctions, nuanced concessive structures, and patterns that appear constantly in newspapers, business emails, and academic writing. Unlike N4–N3, where grammar is tied to everyday conversation, N2 grammar is where Japanese becomes truly expressive and layered.

This reference covers 30 high-frequency N2 grammar patterns. Each entry includes the meaning, a usage note explaining the nuance, and an original example sentence with reading and translation. Use this list alongside official JLPT practice tests — pattern recognition in context is the fastest path to a passing score.

How N2 Grammar Is Tested

The JLPT N2 Language Knowledge section (文字・語彙・文法) includes three grammar question types: sentence grammar (文の文法1) where you choose the correct form for a blank, sentence ordering (文の文法2) where you rearrange scrambled parts, and passage grammar (文章の文法) where you choose correct connectives within a reading passage. Understanding subtle nuance differences — like にもかかわらず vs にかかわらず — is essential for all three.

30 Essential JLPT N2 Grammar Patterns

1. にもかかわらず (にもかかわらず)

Meaning: Despite / even though / in spite of

Expresses a result that is contrary to expectation. Attaches to nouns, na-adj, and plain-form verbs. Formal register. Synonym of ～のに but more formal.

激しい雨にもかかわらず、試合は続けられた。はげしいあめにもかかわらず、しあいはつづけられた。Despite the heavy rain, the match continued.

2. にしたがって (にしたがって)

Meaning: As ~ / in accordance with / following

Two distinct uses: (1) "as X progresses, Y changes proportionally" with verbs of change; (2) "following instructions/rules." In usage (1), both clauses must describe change, not fixed states.

経験を積むにしたがって、仕事が楽になった。けいけんをつむにしたがって、しごとがらくになった。As I gained experience, the work became easier.

3. に対して (にたいして)

Meaning: Toward / against / in contrast to / regarding

Multi-purpose: direction of action (質問に対して答える), contrast (Aに対してBは〜), and attitude toward a target. The contrast usage is especially important for N2.

弟が内向的なのに対して、姉は社交的だ。おとうとがないこうてきなのにたいして、あねはしゃこうてきだ。While my brother is introverted, my sister is sociable.

4. をめぐって (をめぐって)

Meaning: Concerning / over / surrounding (a dispute/debate)

Used when there is conflict, debate, or discussion centred around a topic. Cannot be used for neutral topics — there must be a sense of contention.

土地の相続をめぐって、兄弟間で争いが起きた。とちのそうぞくをめぐって、きょうだいかんでそういがおきた。A dispute broke out between siblings over the inheritance of the land.

5. にあたり / にあたって (にあたり / にあたって)

Meaning: On the occasion of / when doing (something important)

Used for important, one-time or ceremonial occasions. More formal than 〜とき. Often appears in speeches, announcements, and formal writing.

卒業にあたり、お世話になった先生方に感謝を申し上げます。そつぎょうにあたり、おせわになったせんせいがたにかんしゃをもうしあげます。On the occasion of graduation, I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers who cared for me.

6. ことから (ことから)

Meaning: Because of / from the fact that / that is why

Indicates that the preceding fact is the reason or basis for a conclusion/name/custom. Often used to explain the origin or cause of something. More explanatory than だから.

桜が美しく咲くことから、春のシンボルとされている。さくらがうつくしくさくことから、はるのシンボルとされている。Because cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, they are regarded as a symbol of spring.

7. ものの (ものの)

Meaning: Although / but / even though (with unexpected result)

Concessive conjunction connecting two clauses where the result is unexpected or undesirable. The first clause states a positive fact; the second reveals a problem. Similar to けれども but more formal.

資格を取ったものの、なかなか就職できなかった。しかくをとったものの、なかなかしゅうしょくできなかった。Although I obtained the qualification, I couldn't find employment easily.

8. かねない (かねない)

Meaning: Might (do something undesirable) / could well happen

Expresses concern that something bad or undesirable might happen. The speaker views the outcome as a real possibility, usually negative. Attaches to verb masu-stem.

このまま放置すると、大きな問題になりかねない。このままほうちすると、おおきなもんだいになりかねない。If left as is, this could well turn into a serious problem.

9. ざるを得ない (ざるをえない)

Meaning: Cannot help but / have no choice but to (formal)

Expresses unavoidable compulsion, often reluctant. Attaches to verb negative stem (ない stem — drop ない, add ざる). Exception: する → せざるを得ない.

証拠がある以上、事実を認めざるを得ない。しょうこがあるいじょう、じじつをみとめざるをえない。Given the evidence, I have no choice but to acknowledge the facts.

10. に反して (にはんして)

Meaning: Contrary to / against / in opposition to

Used when something contradicts an expectation, rule, wish, or prediction. Noun + に反して. More formal than 〜とは反対に.

親の期待に反して、彼は芸術家の道を選んだ。おやのきたいにはんして、かれはげいじゅつかのみちをえらんだ。Contrary to his parents' expectations, he chose the path of an artist.

11. にかかわらず (にかかわらず)

Meaning: Regardless of / whether or not

The result is unaffected by the condition. Commonly paired with antonyms or whether-or-not constructions: 成功するかしないかにかかわらず.

天気にかかわらず、イベントは予定通り行われます。てんきにかかわらず、イベントはよていどおりおこなわれます。The event will be held as planned regardless of the weather.

12. ないわけにはいかない (ないわけにはいかない)

Meaning: Cannot avoid doing / must do (due to social obligation)

Expresses obligation arising from social norms or circumstances — it would be wrong NOT to do it. Double negative structure: ない + わけにはいかない.

友人の結婚式だから、行かないわけにはいかない。ゆうじんのけっこんしきだから、いかないわけにはいかない。It's my friend's wedding, so I simply cannot not go.

13. ほかない / しかない (ほかない / しかない)

Meaning: Have no choice but to / nothing to do but

Expresses the only available option. ほかない is slightly more formal; both attach to plain-form verbs.

もうここまで来たら、やるしかない。もうここまできたら、やるしかない。Having come this far, there's nothing to do but go through with it.

14. てならない (てならない)

Meaning: Cannot help feeling / naturally feel (uncontrollably)

Expresses an emotion or sensation that arises naturally and cannot be suppressed. Literary/introspective tone. Used with emotion and sensation verbs/adjectives.

数年ぶりに故郷に帰り、懐かしくてならなかった。すうねんぶりにこきょうにかえり、なつかしくてならなかった。Returning to my hometown after several years, I couldn't help feeling nostalgic.

15. てたまらない (てたまらない)

Meaning: Unbearably / extremely / cannot stand (feeling)

Expresses an overwhelming physical or emotional state that is hard to endure. More colloquial and physically intense than てならない.

寒くてたまらないので、暖房をつけた。さむくてたまらないので、だんぼうをつけた。It was so unbearably cold that I turned on the heater.

16. につれて (につれて)

Meaning: As ~ / together with (gradual change)

Used when two things change proportionally. Both clauses must describe change. Similar to にしたがって but につれて tends to focus more on natural/physical processes.

年齢につれて、代謝が落ちてくる。ねんれいにつれて、たいしゃがおちてくる。As one ages, metabolism gradually slows down.

17. をきっかけに (をきっかけに)

Meaning: With ~ as a trigger / prompted by

Marks the event or experience that prompted a change or new activity. The trigger is usually a one-time event. Similar to 〜を契機に (more formal).

留学をきっかけに、国際的な仕事に興味を持つようになった。りゅうがくをきっかけに、こくさいてきなしごとにきょうみをもつようになった。Prompted by studying abroad, I became interested in international work.

18. に加えて (にくわえて)

Meaning: In addition to / on top of

Adds another item, often negative on top of negative or positive on top of positive. Formal equivalent of ～も〜も.

台風に加えて、地震まで発生した。たいふうにくわえて、じしんまでほっせいした。On top of the typhoon, an earthquake also occurred.

19. からといって (からといって)

Meaning: Just because ~ doesn't mean / even if

Argues against using one fact as justification for an unrelated conclusion. Often followed by negative or prohibition.

忙しいからといって、食事を抜いてはいけない。いそがしいからといって、しょくじをぬいてはいけない。Just because you're busy doesn't mean you should skip meals.

20. 上で / 上に (うえで / うえに)

Meaning: After doing / in doing / moreover

上で (うえで): after completing an action, then doing another (sequential). 上に (うえに): moreover / on top of that (additive, similar to ～に加えて).

内容をよく確認した上で、契約書にサインしてください。ないようをよくかくにんしたうえで、けいやくしょにサインしてください。After thoroughly checking the content, please sign the contract.

21. たびに (たびに)

Meaning: Every time / whenever

Used when the same result occurs each time a particular event happens. Attaches to verb plain non-past or noun + の.

彼女に会うたびに、元気をもらう。かのじょにあうたびに、げんきをもらう。Every time I see her, I feel energised.

22. にとって (にとって)

Meaning: For / from the perspective of

Marks the person or entity from whose perspective a judgement or evaluation is made. Must not be confused with に which marks a location or indirect object.

子供にとって、遊びは学びである。こどもにとって、あそびはまなびである。For children, play is learning.

23. わけがない (わけがない)

Meaning: There is no way / it's impossible that

Strongly denies a possibility. The speaker is confident the situation cannot be true. Attaches to plain-form verb or い-adj.

あの人が嘘をつくわけがない。いつも正直だから。あのひとがうそをつくわけがない。いつもしょうじきだから。There's no way that person would lie. They're always honest.

24. わけではない (わけではない)

Meaning: It doesn't mean that / it's not that

Partially negates or qualifies a statement — it is NOT a total denial but a clarification. Often used to correct a misunderstanding.

日本語が嫌いなわけではないが、難しいと感じる。にほんごがきらいなわけではないが、むずかしいとかんじる。It's not that I dislike Japanese, but I do find it difficult.

25. ように言う (ようにいう)

Meaning: Tell/ask (someone) to do

Used for indirect commands or requests reported in speech. The verb before ように is in the plain non-past (for positive instruction) or negative (for prohibition).

医者に、無理をしないように言われた。いしゃに、むりをしないようにいわれた。The doctor told me not to overdo it.

26. とすれば / としたら (とすれば / としたら)

Meaning: If we suppose / assuming that

Used to reason from a hypothetical premise. Often used in logic, debate, or planning. とすれば is slightly more formal and analytical than としたら.

あなたが私の立場だとしたら、どうしますか。あなたがわたしのたちばだとしたら、どうしますか。Assuming you were in my position, what would you do?

27. に違いない (にちがいない)

Meaning: Must be / I'm certain that

Expresses strong conviction based on evidence or reasoning. Similar to 〜はずだ but に違いない is more subjective (the speaker's personal certainty).

あの明かりが見えるから、誰かがいるに違いない。あのあかりがみえるから、だれかがいるにちがいない。I can see that light, so someone must be there.

28. さえ〜ば (さえ〜ば)

Meaning: If only / as long as / even if just

Sets a minimal sufficient condition: "if only this one thing is satisfied, the result follows." The implication is that other conditions don't matter.

お金さえあれば、何でもできると思っていた。おかねさえあれば、なんでもできるとおもっていた。I used to think that if only I had money, I could do anything.

29. ことなく (ことなく)

Meaning: Without doing / never doing

Formal equivalent of 〜ないで or 〜ずに. Commonly used in written language and set phrases. Attaches to plain non-past verb.

彼女は休むことなく、10時間働き続けた。かのじょはやすむことなく、じゅうじかんはたらきつづけた。She continued working for 10 hours without resting.

30. を通じて / を通して (をつうじて / をとおして)

Meaning: Through / via / throughout

を通じて (tsūjite): throughout a period OR via a medium/method. を通して (tōshite): via a process or intermediary (more concrete). Often interchangeable but 通じて is slightly more abstract.

ボランティア活動を通じて、多くの人と知り合えた。ボランティアかつどうをつうじて、おおくのひととしりあえた。Through volunteer activities, I was able to meet many people.

How to Use This List for JLPT N2 Preparation

Group by function. Concessive patterns (ものの, にもかかわらず, からといって) are often tested against each other. Study them as a group to learn the nuance differences rather than learning each in isolation.
Make your own sentences. For each pattern, write one sentence about your own life. Personalised sentences are retained far better than abstract examples.
Read Japanese newspapers. N2 grammar appears constantly in NHK Web Easy, Asahi Shimbun, and official government announcements. Active reading with pattern spotting accelerates acquisition more than any single grammar drill.
Drill confusable pairs. にもかかわらず vs にかかわらず, ざるを得ない vs しかない, てならない vs てたまらない — these pairs are the most common test traps. Write out the differences in your own words.
Use official materials. The JLPT 公式問題集 N2 is the only source that guarantees authentic difficulty calibration. Use it after you have studied all patterns in this list.

N2 Grammar in Real Reading Context

Here are five compound sentences demonstrating how N2 grammar patterns combine in natural written Japanese:

予算が限られているにもかかわらず、プロジェクトは予定通り完成した。よさんがかぎられているにもかかわらず、プロジェクトはよていどおりかんせいした。Despite the limited budget, the project was completed on schedule.

資格を取ったものの、活かせる仕事がなかなか見つからなかった。しかくをとったものの、いかせるしごとがなかなかみつからなかった。Although I got the qualification, I couldn't easily find a job that made use of it.

この問題をめぐって、各国の意見が激しく対立している。このもんだいをめぐって、かっこくのいけんがはげしくたいりつしている。Opinions from various countries are clashing sharply over this issue.

実力があるからといって、傲慢な態度をとっていいわけがない。じつりょくがあるからといって、ごうまんなたいどをとっていいわけがない。Just because you are talented doesn't mean you have the right to act arrogantly.

留学をきっかけに、日本文化への関心が高まるにつれて、語学の勉強がさらに楽しくなった。りゅうがくをきっかけに、にほんぶんかへのかんしんがたかまるにつれて、ごがくのべんきょうがさらにたのしくなった。Prompted by studying abroad, as my interest in Japanese culture grew, studying the language became even more enjoyable.

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Frequently asked questions

How many grammar patterns does JLPT N2 test?

The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, but N2 is generally estimated to cover approximately 100–170 grammar patterns. Most test-prep resources focus on the 60–80 highest-frequency items. This article covers 30 of the most commonly tested patterns based on official practice tests and N2 question-form analysis.

What is the difference between にもかかわらず and にかかわらず?

にもかかわらず means "despite / even though" and expresses a contrast between expectation and reality (雨にもかかわらず行った — went despite the rain). にかかわらず means "regardless of / whether or not" and indicates that the result is unaffected by the condition (天気にかかわらず実施します — will be held regardless of weather). The key difference: にもかかわらず is concessive (surprise element), にかかわらず is conditional-neutral.

What is the difference between ざるを得ない and ほかない / しかない?

All three express inevitability or having no other choice, but with different nuances. ざるを得ない (cannot avoid ~ing) carries a stronger sense of compulsion from an external force and sounds more formal. ほかない / しかない (have no choice but to) can be used more broadly and in more casual registers. Example: 彼の提案を受け入れざるを得ない (I have no choice but to accept his proposal — formal/reluctant) vs 受け入れるしかない (There's nothing to do but accept — more resigned/casual).

What is the difference between てならない and てたまらない?

Both express an overwhelming, uncontrollable feeling. てならない tends to be used for emotions or physical sensations that arise naturally and spontaneously, often with a literary or introspective tone: 故郷が恋しくてならない (I cannot help missing my hometown). てたまらない is used for feelings that are difficult to endure, often physical or very strong desires: 喉が渇いてたまらない (I am unbearably thirsty). てたまらない is slightly more colloquial than てならない.

What is the best way to study JLPT N2 grammar for the actual test?

Study grammar in sentence context, not in isolation. For each pattern: (1) read the Japanese definition/meaning, (2) read 2–3 example sentences, (3) practise writing your own sentence, (4) do official JLPT practice questions that test the pattern. Official JLPT workbooks (公式問題集) and the Nihongo So-matome N2 Grammar series are the most reliable resources. Avoid memorising English translations alone — learn to recognise patterns in reading context.