Mastering Japanese Sentence Connectors and Modality (9JA0)
Welcome to this comprehensive guide on intermediate Japanese grammar for the Pearson Edexcel A Level (9JA0) specification. In this chapter, we will master two crucial skill sets assessed across Paper 1, Paper 2 (especially Section A Translation into Japanese), and Paper 3 under AO3 (Manipulate the language accurately, in spoken and written forms, using a range of lexis and structure):
1. Linking Sentences: Expressing objective reasons (ので), contrast with emotional nuance (のに), and conditional concessions (ても / でも).
2. Modality (Conjecture and Hearsay): Describing appearance vs reported speech with そうです, and making sensory-based inferences with ようです.
Don't worry if these forms look similar at first glance! We will break down the exact conjugation rules step by step with clear memory aids so you can write and translate with complete confidence.
Part 1: Linking Sentences (ので, のに, ても)
1. 〜ので (node) — "Because / As / Since" (Objective Reason)
Function: ので connects a cause or reason to an effect in a polite, gentle, and objective tone. While から often states a strong subjective opinion or command, ので focuses naturally on objective circumstances.
Conjugation & Connection Rules:
• Verbs (Plain Form): Plain Form + ので
Example: 読むので (Because I read), 読まないので (Because I do not read), 読んだので (Because I read [past])
• い-Adjectives: Plain/Dictionary Form + ので
Example: 忙しいので (Because I am busy), 寒かったので (Because it was cold)
• な-Adjectives: Stem + な + ので
Example: 静かなので (Because it is quiet), 静かではないので (Because it is not quiet)
• Nouns: Noun + な + ので
Example: 雨なので (Because it is raining), 休みなので (Because it is a holiday)
Crucial Register Rule: In standard modern Japanese and formal academic essays, before ので, nominals (nouns and な-adjectives in the present affirmative) must take な, never だ.
• Correct: 雨なので
• Strictly Ungrammatical: 雨だので
Key Takeaway for ので: Treat ので like a noun modifier—nouns and な-adjectives must attach with な!
2. 〜のに (noni) — "Although / Even though / Despite the fact that..."
Function: のに links two clauses when the outcome in Clause 2 directly contradicts what you would naturally expect from Clause 1. It frequently conveys a strong tone of surprise, regret, disappointment, or dissatisfaction.
Conjugation & Connection Rules:
• Verbs (Plain Form): Plain Form + のに
Example: 一生懸命勉強したのに (Even though I studied hard...)
Example: 約束したのに (Despite having promised...)
• い-Adjectives: Plain Form + のに
Example: 高いのに (Even though it is expensive...)
• な-Adjectives: Stem + な + のに
Example: 簡単なのに (Even though it is simple...)
• Nouns: Noun + な + のに
Example: 日曜日なのに (Even though it is Sunday...)
Semantic Constraint (Examiner Warning):
Clause 2 after のに cannot contain a command, request, intention, or volitional statement.
• Incorrect: *雨なのに傘を持って行きなさい。(Commands cannot follow のに)
• Correct: 雨ですが、傘を持って行きなさい。(Use が or けれども for instructions or invitations)
Key Takeaway for のに: Just like ので, nouns and な-adjectives require な before のに. Remember that Clause 2 must state a factual unexpected outcome, not a command or request.
3. 〜ても / 〜でも (te mo / de mo) — "Even if / Even though"
Function: Introduces a concessive condition: "Even if condition X occurs, outcome Y remains unchanged or happens anyway."
Conjugation & Connection Rules:
• Verbs (Affirmative): Verb Te-form + も
Example: 食べても (Even if I eat), 読んでも (Even if I read), 行っても (Even if I go)
• Verbs (Negative): Verb (ない form) drop い + くても
Example: 行かなくても (Even if I do not go)
• い-Adjectives (Affirmative): Drop 〜い + くても
Example: 高くても (Even if it is expensive)
• い-Adjectives (Negative): Drop 〜い + くなくても
Example: 安くなくても (Even if it is not cheap)
• な-Adjectives: Stem + でも (Negative: でなくても / じゃなくても)
Example: 暇でも (Even if I am free), 便利でなくても (Even if it is not convenient)
• Nouns: Noun + でも (Negative: でなくても / じゃなくても)
Example: 雨でも (Even if it rains), 先生でも (Even if one is a teacher)
Key Takeaway for ても / でも: Think of this as turning the standard Te-form into an "even if" bridge by adding も.
Part 2: Conjecture and Hearsay (そうです and ようです)
1. The Dual Nature of 〜そうです (sō desu)
One of the most frequent errors identified in Edexcel examiner reports is mixing up Conjecture そうです ("looks like / about to") with Hearsay そうです ("I heard that"). The difference lies strictly in what attaches directly to そうです.
A. Conjecture / Appearance ("Looks like / Seems as if / About to"):
Use this when making a visual judgement or sensing an imminent event right before your eyes.
• Verbs: Verb Pre-masu Stem + そうです
Example: 雨が降りそうです (It looks like it is about to rain)
Negative: 降りそうにない / 降りそうもない / 降りそうではない
• い-Adjectives: Drop 〜い + そうです
Example: おいしそうです (It looks delicious)
Negative: おいしくなさそうです (It does not look delicious)
• な-Adjectives: Stem + そうです
Example: 元気そうです (He/She looks energetic/healthy)
Negative: 元気ではなさそうです
• CRITICAL IRREGULARS:
• いい / よい (good) becomes よさそうです (looks good)
• ない (none / not) becomes なさそうです (doesn't look like there is)
• Rule: Nouns cannot attach to this conjecture form (e.g. *本そうです is ungrammatical).
B. Hearsay / Reported Information ("I heard that... / According to..."):
Use this when reporting facts, statements, or news passed along from another source.
• Verbs (Plain Form): Plain Form + そうです
Example: 明日雨が降るそうです (I heard it will rain tomorrow)
• い-Adjectives (Plain Form): Plain Form + そうです
Example: あの店は高いそうです (I hear that shop is expensive)
• な-Adjectives (Plain Form): Stem + だ + そうです
Example: この町は便利だそうです (I hear this town is convenient)
• Nouns (Plain Form): Noun + だ + そうです
Example: 明日は雨だそうです (I hear tomorrow will be rain)
• Source Marker Pairing: Commonly introduced with 〜によると ("According to...").
Example: 天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るそうです。
Side-by-Side Comparison:
• 降りそうです (Stem + そうです) = Conjecture: "It looks like it will rain."
• 降るそうです (Dictionary + そうです) = Hearsay: "I heard it will rain."
• おいしそうです (Drop い) = Conjecture: "It looks delicious."
• おいしいそうです (Keep い) = Hearsay: "I heard it is delicious."
2. 〜ようです (yō desu) — Sensory Evidence & Circumstantial Inference ("It appears that / It seems that")
Function: ようです indicates an inference made by the speaker based on first-hand sensory observations (what they see, hear, or smell) or reliable circumstantial evidence.
Conjugation & Connection Rules:
• Verbs (Plain Form): Plain Form + ようです
Example: 誰か来たようです (It seems someone has arrived [e.g., hearing footsteps])
• い-Adjectives (Plain Form): Plain Form + ようです
Example: 外は寒いようです (It seems cold outside [e.g., seeing people in heavy coats])
• な-Adjectives: Stem + な + ようです
Example: 彼は元気なようです (It seems that he is healthy/energetic)
• Nouns: Noun + の + ようです
Example: 事故のようです (It appears to be an accident)
Adverbial and Attributive Modifications:
• Modifying a noun: 〜ような + [Noun]
Example: 夢のような話 (A story like a dream / A dream-like story)
• Modifying a verb or adjective: 〜ように + [Verb/Adjective]
Example: 逃げるように去った (Left as if running away)
Key Takeaway for ようです: Never forget the particle の when attaching ようです to a noun (e.g. 病気のようです, not *病気ようです).
Common Pitfalls & Examiner Tips Summary
Make sure to review this checklist before your Paper 2 translation and Paper 3 writing tasks:
1. The "Copula Insertion" Trap: Never write *有名だので or *学生だのに. You must write 有名なので and 学生なのに.
2. Conjecture Irregularities: Remember that いい becomes よさそうです and ない becomes なさそうです. Writing *いいそうです means "I heard it is good" (Hearsay), not "It looks good".
3. Noun + ようです: Always include の between a noun and ようです (e.g. 雨のようです).
4. Clause 2 Restrictions with のに: Do not place requests, commands, or suggestions after のに. Use けれども or が instead.
5. Negative Concessives: Pay close attention when translating "Even if it is not...". Use 〜なくても (Verbs), 〜くなくても (い-Adjectives), and 〜でなくても (Nouns/な-Adjectives).