2007 年 10 月18 日
Something followed by something else (まえ に)...
まえ に is used to indicated that something happened followed by something
else. The sentence structure is Verb1 in dictionary form/noun + の +
quantifier (time period) + まえ に + verb2.
- Verb: This sentence pattern indicates that the action of verb2
occurs before the action of verb1 takes place. Whether the tense of verb2
is in the past,present, or future tense, verb1 is always in the dictionary
form.
- ロンドン に くる まえ に えいご を べんきょう しました。- I studied English before I
came to London.
- およぐ まえ に シャワー を あびます。- (I) have a shower before swimming.
- Noun: When まえ に comes after a noun, the particle の is put between
the noun and まえ に. Nouns before まえ に are nouns which express actions or
nouns which imply actions.
- しょくじ の まえ に て を あらいます。- I wash my hands before eating.
- Quantifier (time period): When まえ に comes after a quantifier, the
particle の is not necessary.
- マーク さん は 一 じかん まえ に おきました。- Marc woke up an hour ago.
Must...
The verb ない form can be used to indicate that something has to be done regardless
of the will of the actor. Although it sounds negative, it is expressing something
that will happen.
- くすり を のまないと いけません / なければ なりません。- I must take medicine
なければ なりません is more formal than ないと いけません.
Need not...
This sentence pattern indicates that the action described by the verb does
not have to be done.
- あした こなくて も いいです。- You don't have to come tomorrow
It is formed using the ない form plus なくて も いいです.