N3Chapter 61Unit 6 · Natural and Integrated Japanese

Discourse Markers and Long Sentences

Learning objectives

  • Predict the next relationship from a discourse marker.
  • Locate the final main predicate after long modifiers.
  • Distinguish result, restatement, contrast, addition, and restriction.
N3 context
Reading speed improves when you stop treating conjunctions as decoration. They tell you how the next sentence changes the argument. Long sentences become manageable when you bracket modifiers and wait for the final main predicate.
Vocabulary語彙
6 terms

  • 要点

    ようてん

    noun

    main point

  • 接続

    せつぞく

    noun

    connection

  • 具体例

    ぐたいれい

    noun

    concrete example

  • 要約

    ようやく

    noun

    summary

  • 例外

    れいがい

    noun

    exception

  • 段落

    だんらく

    noun

    paragraph
Pattern contrast使い分け

Predict the next move

そのため／したがって

result

therefore; consequently

Introduces a result. したがって is more formal and logical.

利用者が減った。そのため、運行本数が見直された。

Users decreased. Therefore, the number of services was reviewed.

一方（で）／ところが

contrast

on the other hand / however unexpectedly

一方で adds a contrasting side; ところが reverses an expectation.

準備は十分だった。ところが、当日は機械が動かなかった。

Preparation was sufficient. However, the equipment failed on the day.

つまり／すなわち

restatement

in other words; namely

Restates or summarises. すなわち is more formal.

全員が賛成した。つまり、反対意見はなかった。

Everyone agreed. In other words, there was no opposition.

さらに／例えば

addition / example

furthermore / for example

Adds another point or supplies a representative case.

費用が安い。さらに、手続きも簡単だ。

It is inexpensive. Furthermore, the procedure is simple.

なお／ただし

supplement / restriction

in addition / provided that; however

なお adds supplementary information; ただし states a restriction or exception.

入場は無料です。ただし、予約が必要です。

Admission is free. However, a reservation is required.

つまり does not add new evidence

つまり should restate what the previous information means. If the next sentence adds another independent reason, use さらに or another additive connector.

Guided practice練習

Choose a connector and identify the final main predicate.

  1. 1.Restate: No trains or buses are running. In other words, there is no public transport.

  2. 2.Add a restriction: Children enter free, but they need a ticket.

  3. 3.In 先月市が発表した計画について住民が話し合った, identify the main predicate.
Reading practice読解

Should the library stay open later?

short opinion article

Target: 5 minutes
市立図書館は、来年度から平日の閉館時間を一時間遅くすることを検討している。仕事や学校の後でも利用しやすくなるため、賛成する人は多い。一方で、開館時間が長くなれば、職員の負担や電気代も増える。例えば、夜間の安全を確保するために、警備員を増やす必要があるかもしれない。つまり、利用者にとって便利になるだけでなく、運営方法全体を見直さなければならないということだ。ただし、市はまだ最終的な決定をしていない。
Study this passage
閉館（へいかん）
closing a facility
警備員（けいびいん）
security guard
  1. What contrast does 一方で introduce?
  2. What does つまり summarise?
  3. What restriction does ただし add?
Listening rehearsal聴解

A changed venue

Listen for result, addition, and restriction.

Listen before opening the transcript.
  1. What changes, and what remains unchanged?
Key takeawaysまとめ
  • 1Result, contrast, restatement, addition, and restriction markers predict paragraph movement.
  • 2つまり summarises; it does not introduce unrelated evidence.
  • 3Bracket noun modifiers and locate the final main predicate before translating a long sentence.

Knowledge Check

Practice Quiz
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料金が上がった。＿＿、利用者が減った。