~て form (chaining)

grammar

279 sentences

The te-form of verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives (with で) used to chain multiple clauses or descriptions together — 'X, and then Y' / 'X, so Y' / 'X, because Y' / 'X, with Y.' 高くて、新しくて、便利だ ('tall, new, and convenient'). The workhorse clause-linking structure in Japanese; the exact reading (sequential, causal, backgrounding) emerges from context and the relationship between the two clauses. Doesn't commit to 'and then' vs 'and also.'

279 sentences

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Silhouetted against the evening sky, the tower looks beautiful.

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I blew every yen I had on that book.

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When I saw the ghost, I was so scared my hair stood on end.

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Sacrifice the name to gain the substance.

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You draw me in just enough, then act like you don't know me.

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When I was a boy, I used to lie on the grass and gaze at the white clouds.

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When I was a boy, I used to lie on my back on the grass and gaze at the white clouds.

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My rusted Ford broke down and ended up blocking the intersection.

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If you don't believe what I'm telling you, go see for yourself.

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If I were doing it, I'd bring a soup plate, carefully slide the glass to the edge of the table, and pour the water into the soup plate. The water wouldn't spill on the floor.

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Even I'm happy to have her as my girlfriend.

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Last night, we went around the whole town drinking and partying it up.

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The mothers gave their children food and starved to death themselves.

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When she saw him walking with another girl, she got jealous.

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Hearing the news of her son's accident, she was beside herself with grief, almost out of her mind.

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Without even asking me, she walked off with my umbrella.

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She walked out without even saying "please sit down" to me.

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She caught what I was hinting at and smiled.

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She tore his letter to shreds in tears and threw it away.

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She let out a scream at the flash of lightning.

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I might just give up right away and take a nap.

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"Thanks for helping." "You're welcome."

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He took in a war orphan and is raising her as his adopted daughter.

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Every evening after school, we'd meet up in his backyard and play Indian war.

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From the castle, I could see the entire river curving gently as it flowed along the foot of the mountain.

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The neighbor's radio is driving me crazy — it's so loud.

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Jane turned pale when she saw the cooked snails.

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The food was so good I couldn't help eating too much.

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I got caught in an evening shower and got drenched.

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Last night I pulled an all-nighter reading a novel.