I2 - Lesson 7
Various ways of using ように to express reasons.
A...ように...B
Using ように to express actions taken for a purpose. The purpose indicates the speaker's volition to accomplish it. (A) indicates the purpose, (B) indicates the speaker's will to accomplish the purpose.
(B: Speaker's will) I want to do something...
(A: Speaker's purpose) ...so that I can achieve something.
Examples
I study Japanese so that I can talk to my Japanese colleagues in Japanese.
日本人の同僚に日本語で話せるように日本語を勉強します。
I have been training everyday so that I can dunk a basketball.
バスケットボールをダンクできるように、毎日練習します。
Always wash your hands so that you won't catch the virus.
ウイルスを引かないようにいつも手を洗います。
- There is a time sequence rule in this sentence structure. (A) is to be achieved after (B) action is done.
- Verbs in (A) are usually in potential or negative form. It is not a hard rule, but the nature of the structure. I can do something after something is done.
- Compared to ために, ように is more hopeful. ために implies a stronger determination to get things done.
... ようにしてください
ようにしてください is a request expression. It can be used as a gentle reminder e.g. please make an effort, please keep in mind.
It is usually used in these two cases:
1) Requests to repeat an action habitually.
2) More polite and less blunt when compared to V-てください.
Examples
Please turn off the lights before you go to bed.
寝る前に、電気(でんき)を消すようにしてください。
Turn your phone to silent mode when you're in the theatres.
映画館(えいがかん)にいるとき、スマホ(smartphone)がサイレントモドに切り替える(きりかえる)ようにしてください。
Please make an effort not to be late tomorrow.
明日遅れないようにしてください。
Please come at 2PM tomorrow.
明日2時来るようにしてください。(This is milder, more indirect and less blunt as compared to...)
明日2時来てください。(Direct request)
- You can use ようにしてください once as a gentle reminder.
- ようにしてください is milder, more indirect and less blunt as compared to V-てください.
- For example, if you want someone to not make mistake, it'd be ideal to use ようにしてください. Using V- てください might make the listener feel uncomfortable because he/she have not make a mistake.
... ようになります
ようになります can be used to indicate:
1) Something that you can't do previously but you can now. (Potential form + ようになります)
2) A newly acquired habit or repetition of a new action that has become apparent.
Examples
I came to be able to eat sashimi.
刺身が食べられようになりました。
After a lot of practice, I am finally able to play the guitar.
多くの練習した後で、やっとギターが弾けようになりました。
Tanaka stops joining us for lunch recently.
最近田中さんは私たちと昼ご飯を食べに行かないようになりました。
Due to stress, he's been smoking since last year.
ストレスから、彼は去年から運動するようになりました。
- Potential verb indicates change of capabilities. Normal verb only indicates a change in habit.
- Depending on the situation, ようになります might have a negative connotation to it.