Volitional form (よう/おう, ようと思う, ようとする) and nominalising with こと/の

Introduction: Mastering Advanced Verbs & Sentence Structures

Welcome to this comprehensive study guide for Pearson Edexcel A Level Japanese (9JA0). In this chapter, we explore two vital grammatical tools that will elevate your writing and speaking from simple GCSE sentences to sophisticated, natural Japanese:

1. The Volitional Form (意向形 / いこうけい): How to express intentions, resolve, suggestions, attempts, and imminent actions (〜よう / おう, 〜ようと思う, 〜ようとする).
2. Nominalisation with こと and の (名詞化): How to turn actions into noun clauses so you can describe your hobbies, report sensory observations, and express complex decisions.

These structures are examined across Paper 1 (Translation and Research Writing), Paper 2 (Translation and Literature/Film essays), and Paper 3 (Listening, Reading, and Writing) under Assessment Objective 3 (AO3): manipulating language accurately with varied grammatical structures.

Part 1: The Verb Volitional Form (意向形 / いこうけい)

1. What is the Volitional Form?

The volitional form is the plain, informal equivalent of the polite 〜ましょう ("let's" or "shall we?"). It is used in casual speech with friends, in internal monologue (resolving to do something), or as a building block for advanced grammatical patterns.

2. Step-by-Step Conjugation Rules

Don't worry if verb conjugations feel overwhelming at first. Just follow the grouping rules step-by-step:

Group 1: Godan Verbs (五段動詞)
Shift the final -u syllable to its matching -o row syllable on the kana chart, then add う (producing a long -ō sound):
• 行く (iku) \(\rightarrow\) 行こう (ikō - let's go)
• 飲む (nomu) \(\rightarrow\) 飲もう (nomō - let's drink)
• 話す (hanasu) \(\rightarrow\) 話そう (hanasō - let's speak)
• 待つ (matsu) \(\rightarrow\) 待とう (matō - let's wait)
• 買う (kau) \(\rightarrow\) 買おう (kaō - let's buy)

Group 2: Ichidan Verbs (一段動詞)
Drop the final る (-ru) and attach よう (-yō):
• 食べる (taberu) \(\rightarrow\) 食べよう (tabeyō - let's eat)
• 見る (miru) \(\rightarrow\) 見よう (miyō - let's look/watch)
• 起きる (okiru) \(\rightarrow\) 起きよう (okiyō - let's wake up)

Group 3: Irregular Verbs (不規則動詞)
Memorise these two irregular verbs directly:
• する (suru) \(\rightarrow\) しよう (shiyō - let's do)
• 来る / くる (kuru) \(\rightarrow\) 来よう / こよう (koyō - let's come)

Memory Tip: Remember that in Group 1 verbs, you are always changing the final sound to an "o" sound and adding "う" to lengthen it. Never forget the final う!

3. Key Takeaway: Volitional Conjugation

• Group 1: -u \(\rightarrow\) -o + う (e.g., 書く \(\rightarrow\) 書こう)
• Group 2: drop る \(\rightarrow\) + よう (e.g., 忘れる \(\rightarrow\) 忘れよう)
• Group 3: する \(\rightarrow\) しよう, くる \(\rightarrow\) こよう

Part 2: Syntactic Patterns Using the Volitional Form

1. Standalone Volitional Form ("Let's..." / "I shall...")

Used casually to make suggestions or express immediate resolve:
• 一緒に行こう。 (Let's go together.)
• 明日また練習しよう。 (Let's practice again tomorrow.)

2. Expressing Intentions: [Volitional] + と思う vs と思っている

This structure translates as "I think I will..." or "I intend to...". Notice the crucial difference between the two endings:

A. 〜ようと思う (Spontaneous / Newly formed intention)
Used when you make a decision at the very moment of speaking:
• 今夜は早く寝ようと思う。 (I think I'll go to bed early tonight. — just decided now)

B. 〜ようと思っている (Pre-existing / Ongoing intention)
Used when an intention was formed earlier and is continuously held over time:
• 来年、日本へ留学しようと思っている。 (I am planning to study abroad in Japan next year.)

Crucial Rule for Third-Person Subjects:
In Japanese, you cannot state another person's inner thoughts directly as absolute fact. Therefore, when describing someone else's intention, you must use 〜ようと思っている, never 〜ようと思う.
• 田中さんは来年留学しようと思っている。 (Tanaka-san is intending to study abroad next year. — Correct)
• 田中さんは来年留学しようと思う。 (Incorrect for 3rd person)

3. Attempt and Imminent Action: [Volitional] + とする

Combining the volitional form with forms of する expresses trying to do something, being on the verge of doing something, or refusing to do something:

A. 〜ようとする (Attempting to do something / Try to)
Indicates making an immediate physical or conscious effort to perform an action:
• ドアを開けようとしたが、鍵がかかっていた。 (I tried to open the door, but it was locked.)

B. 〜ようとしている (On the verge of / Imminent action)
Indicates that a change or action is just about to occur right at that very moment:
• 日が沈もうとしている。 (The sun is about to set.)
• 電車が出発しようとしている。 (The train is on the verge of departing.)

C. 〜ようとしない (Refusing / Making no attempt to do something)
Indicates that the subject (frequently a third person) shows no willingness or effort to act:
• 彼は何も話そうとしない。 (He makes no attempt to speak / refuses to speak at all.)

Examiner Warning — Do Not Confuse:
• [Volitional] + とする = Try to / about to do (e.g., 出かけようとした = just as I was about to head out).
• [Dictionary Form] + ようにする = Make an effort / make it a habit to do (e.g., 毎日野菜を食べるようにする = I make sure to eat vegetables every day).

4. Key Takeaway: Volitional Patterns

• 〜ようと思う = Instant intention (1st person).
• 〜ようと思っている = Continuous intention (1st person or 3rd person).
• 〜ようとする = Physical attempt / on the verge of happening / refusal (when negative).

Part 3: Nominalisation with こと vs の (名詞化)

1. What is Nominalisation?

Nominalisation means converting an entire verb phrase into a noun clause by attaching こと or の to the plain (dictionary) form of the verb. Once nominalised, the clause can take standard grammatical particles (は, が, を, に).

Formula: [Plain Verb / Clause] + こと / の

2. General Conceptual Difference

• こと (Abstract / Conceptual): Used for ideas, facts, general concepts, knowledge, and formalized rules.
• の (Concrete / Tangible / Sensory): Used for real-time, concrete, directly perceived physical actions happening right in front of you.

3. Strict Selection Rules (When to use which)

Rule 1: Direct Sensory Perception \(\rightarrow\) の ONLY
When using verbs of seeing, hearing, or feeling (見る, 聞く / 聞こえる, 見える, 感じる), you must use の because you are perceiving a concrete, real-time action:
• ピアノを弾いているのを聞いた。 (I heard someone playing the piano.)
• 彼が走っているのを見た。 (I saw him running.)
(Using こと here is grammatically incorrect.)

Rule 2: Actions Stopped, Awaited, or Helped \(\rightarrow\) の ONLY
Verbs like 待つ (wait), 止める (stop), and 手伝う (help) require direct interaction with an ongoing concrete event, so they take の:
• 彼が来るのを待つ。 (I wait for him to arrive.)
• 母が料理を作るのを手伝った。 (I helped my mother cook.)

Rule 3: Fixed Syntactic Formulations \(\rightarrow\) こと ONLY
Standard set grammatical structures in Japanese strictly require こと. Never replace こと with の in these set phrases:
• 〜ことができる (can do / ability): 日本語を話すことができる。
• 〜ことがある (have the experience of / occasionally do): 日本へ行ったことがある。
• 〜ことにする (decide to do): 留学することにした。
• 〜ことになる (it is decided that): 来月帰国することになった。

Rule 4: Equative Copula Sentences (〜は〜ことです) \(\rightarrow\) こと PREFERRED
When defining aims, hobbies, dreams, or rules (My hobby/dream is X), こと is the standard formal choice:
• 私の夢は医者になることです。 (My dream is to become a doctor.)
• 私の趣味は写真を撮ることです。 (My hobby is taking photographs.)

Rule 5: Evaluative Adjectives \(\rightarrow\) Both こと and の permitted
When expressing feelings, preferences, or evaluations (好き, 嫌い, 上手, 下手, 面白い, 大切), both can be used. の is more conversational, while こと is more formal and written:
• 本を読むのが好きです。 / 本を読むことが好きです。 (I like reading books.)
• 健康を維持することは大切です。 (Maintaining health is important.)

4. Summary Table: Choosing Between こと and の

• Direct Perception (見る, 聞く): の only
• Interactive Verbs (待つ, 手伝う, 止める): の only
• Fixed Grammar Patterns (〜ことができる, 〜ことにする): こと only
• Equative Definitions (私の夢・趣味は〜ことです): こと preferred
• Evaluative Adjectives (好き, 嫌い, 上手, 大切): Both の and こと permitted

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in the Exam

1. Conjugation Errors in Irregular and Group 1 Verbs:
• Incorrect: *来よう (kiyō) \(\rightarrow\) Correct: 来よう / こよう (koyō).
• Incorrect: *食べろう (taberō) \(\rightarrow\) Correct: 食べよう (tabeyō).
• Incorrect: *いこ (iko) \(\rightarrow\) Correct: 行こう (ikō) (Remember the final う!).

2. Third-Person Intention Errors:
• Incorrect: *田中さんは日本に行こうと思う。
• Correct: 田中さんは日本に行こうと思っている。 (Always use 〜と思っている for third parties).

3. Breaking Fixed Grammar Formulas:
• Incorrect: *泳ぐのができる。
• Correct: 泳ぐことができる。

4. Using こと with Direct Sensory Verbs:
• Incorrect: *鳥が歌うことを聞いた。
• Correct: 鳥が歌うのを聞いた。

Final Checklist for AO3 Accuracy

Before submitting your Paper 1 research essay or Paper 2 literature/film commentary, check:
1. Did I conjugate Group 1 verbs into the -ō sound and Group 2 verbs with -yō?
2. Did I use 〜と思っている when describing characters' or other people's intentions?
3. Did I use の with 見る / 聞く / 待つ / 手伝う?
4. Did I keep こと intact within ことができる and ことにする?