Advanced Grammar上級
Nuanced grammar patterns (JLPT N3–N2)
〜ばかり — Just Did / Nothing But
N3[Verb た-form] + ばかり / [Verb/Noun] + ばかり
ばかり has two main uses: (1) 'just did something' when used with past tense, and (2) 'nothing but / only' when used with dictionary form or nouns.
〜として — As / In the Role of
N3[Noun] + として
として means 'as' or 'in the capacity of.' It defines the role, status, or function of something.
〜によって — By Means of / Depending on
N3[Noun] + によって
によって has multiple uses: (1) the agent in a passive sentence ('by'), (2) means or method ('by means of'), and (3) variation ('depending on').
〜わけ — Reason / It Means That
N3[Plain form] + わけだ / わけではない / わけがない
わけ relates to reasoning and conclusions. わけだ = 'that's why / it means that.' わけではない = 'it doesn't mean that.' わけがない = 'there's no way that.'
〜ようにする — Make an Effort to / Try to
N3[Verb dictionary/nai form] + ようにする
〜ようにする means to make an effort or try to do something habitually. It implies a conscious effort to change behavior.