Introduction: Level Up Your Japanese Sentences
Welcome to one of the most rewarding parts of your GCSE Japanese journey! When you first start learning Japanese, it is easy to speak in short, separate sentences like "Sushi is delicious. I eat it." But to unlock top marks in your Paper 2 (Speaking) and Paper 4 (Writing) exams, you need to connect your ideas smoothly and share what you think.
In this chapter, we will master four essential grammar tools from the Pearson Edexcel specification:
1. が (ga) – Saying "but" to show contrast.
2. から (kara) – Explaining "because" to give reasons.
3. …し…し (shi...shi) – Listing multiple reasons or qualities ("and / not only... but also").
4. と思います (to omoimasu) – Expressing personal opinions ("I think that...").
Don't worry if plain forms or particles feel tricky at first. We will break each structure down step-by-step with clear patterns and exam tips!
1. Contrasting Ideas with が (ga – "But")
The particle が is used to connect two complete sentences that have contrasting or opposing ideas. In English, this translates directly to "but".
The Formula
[Sentence A (Polite)] + が、 + [Sentence B (Polite)]
Exam Example
肉は食べますが、魚は食べません。
(Niku wa tabemasu ga, sakana wa tabemasen.)
Meaning: I eat meat, but I do not eat fish.
How It Works
You simply take your first polite sentence ending in ~ます or ~です, attach が, add a comma, and continue with your second contrasting sentence.
Key Takeaway: が sits comfortably between two polite sentences to show a clear contrast without altering the verbs before it.
2. Giving Reasons with から (kara – "Because / Since")
To explain why something happens or justify an opinion, we use から (because / since). The most important rule in Japanese is that the reason always comes before から.
The Formula
[Reason] + から、 + [Result / Action]
Examples
1. あついですから、アイスクリームを食べます。
(Atsui desu kara, aisukuriimu o tabemasu.)
Meaning: Because it is hot, I will eat ice cream.
2. Answering a "Why?" question:
Question: どうして日本語を勉強しますか。 (Why do you study Japanese?)
Answer: おもしろいですから。 (Because it is interesting.)
Memory Trick: The Reverse Order
In English, we usually say: [Result] because [Reason] (e.g., "I stay home because it is raining").
In Japanese, the order is strictly flipped: [Reason] から [Result] (literally: "[It is raining] because, [I stay home]"). Always state your cause first!
Key Takeaway: から attaches directly to the reason. Remember: Reason + から + Result.
3. Listing Multiple Reasons: …し…し (shi...shi)
When you want to give more than one reason to justify a decision or express why something is great (or bad), use …し…し. This means "not only... but also" or "and... and so...".
The Formula
[Plain Form Clause] + し、 [Plain Form Clause] + し、 + [Conclusion]
Official Specification Example
今日はしゅくだいも多いし、天気もわるいので、あそびに行きません。
(Kyou wa shukudai mo ooi shi, tenki mo warui node, asobi ni ikimasen.)
Meaning: Today I have lots of homework and the weather is bad, so I won't go out to play.
Important Distinction: "し" vs "て-form"
Do not confuse …し…し with the て-form (te-form):
• Use the て-form when listing a chronological sequence of actions (e.g., "I woke up, ate breakfast, and went to school").
• Use …し…し when listing reasons or qualities that lead to a final point or conclusion.
Key Takeaway: …し…し requires the Plain Form before each し and is used to pile up multiple supporting reasons.
4. Expressing Opinions with と思います (to omoimasu – "I think...")
Stating your personal opinion is essential for achieving higher marks in GCSE Speaking and Writing. To say "I think that...", use the phrase と思います.
The Golden Rule
The clause coming directly before と思います must be in the Plain Form (informal form), never the polite form.
How to Build the Plain Form Clause
Depending on the type of word, follow these rules:
• Verbs (Dictionary / Plain form):
Example: あした雨がふると思います。
(Ashita ame ga furu to omoimasu.) — I think it will rain tomorrow.
• い-Adjectives (i-adjectives keep their ~い):
Example: この本はおもしろいと思います。
(Kono hon wa omoshiroi to omoimasu.) — I think this book is interesting.
• な-Adjectives & Nouns (MUST add だ before と):
Example (Na-Adjective): 町はきれいだと思います。
(Machi wa kirei da to omoimasu.) — I think the town is pretty.
Example (Noun): 田中さんは日本人だと思います。
(Tanaka-san wa nihonjin da to omoimasu.) — I think Mr Tanaka is Japanese.
Asking for Opinions
To ask someone else what they think, use the question phrase:
どう思いますか。 (Dou omoimasu ka?) — What do you think?
Key Takeaway: Always place a Plain Form before と思います. Remember the special rule: な-adjectives and nouns need だ (da) before と!
5. Common Pitfalls & Examiner Advice
Avoid these frequent mistakes highlighted by GCSE examiners:
1. Using polite forms before と思います
Incorrect: おいしいですと思います ❌
Correct: おいしいと思います ✔️
Examiner Tip: Keep the inner thought plain, and let と思います provide the politeness at the end of the sentence.
2. Forgetting だ (da) for な-adjectives and Nouns
Incorrect: べんりと思います ❌
Correct: べんりだと思います ✔️
Examiner Tip: Always check whether your adjective is an い-adjective or a な-adjective before adding と思います.
3. Using particle を instead of と for opinions
Incorrect: いいを思います ❌
Correct: いいと思います ✔️
Examiner Tip: The particle と acts like speech quotation marks ("...") around your thought.
4. Reversing Reason and Result with から
Incorrect: 学校に行きません、雨ですから。 (English order) ❌
Correct: 雨ですから、学校に行きません。 (Reason first) ✔️
Quick Reference Summary
• が (ga): Sentence A (Polite) + が、 + Sentence B (Polite) → "Sentence A, but Sentence B."
• から (kara): Reason + から、 + Result → "Because [Reason], [Result]."
• …し…し (shi...shi): Plain form + し、 Plain form + し → "Not only [Reason 1], but also [Reason 2]..."
• と思います (to omoimasu): Plain form + と思います → "I think that..." (Remember: Nouns/な-adjectives + だ + と思います).