Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering ~そうすると: Connecting Cause & Consequence in Japanese (JLPT N2 Grammar)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

This phrase is used to connect a preceding situation or action to its logical consequence or result. It can be translated as “then,” “in that case,” “as a result,” or “if that happens/is the case, then…”.

🎯 Primary Function

Its primary function is to indicate that the statement following ~そうすると is a direct or expected outcome, consequence, or logical deduction stemming from the preceding statement.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Sentence/Clause 1] + そうすると + [Sentence/Clause 2] ~そうすると acts as a conjunction connecting two clauses. The first clause describes a situation, action, or premise, and the second clause describes the resulting consequence or logical outcome.

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in formal settings, especially when explaining a logical sequence of events or deductions in presentations or reports, though more formal alternatives like 「そのため」 might be preferred for very strict academic writing.

😊 Informal Situations

Very commonly used in everyday conversation to explain the results of actions or situations, or to lead into a logical next step.

✍️ Written Language

Appears in various forms of written Japanese, including articles, essays, instructions, and reports, to establish cause-and-effect relationships or logical flow.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Frequently used in spoken Japanese to connect ideas smoothly and explain consequences in a clear and natural way.

💡 Common Applications

Stating a direct consequence or result of a previous action or state.
Used when the second clause is a direct outcome of the first clause.
Example: 電車が遅延しています。そうすると、会議に間に合わないかもしれません。 (The train is delayed. As a result, I might not make it to the meeting.)
Drawing a logical deduction or conclusion based on a premise.
When the speaker infers something based on the information given in the first clause.
Example: 彼は毎日日本語を勉強している。そうすると、どんどん上達するだろう。 (He studies Japanese every day. In that case, he’ll probably improve rapidly.)
Indicating a sequential action that leads to a particular outcome.
Used in instructions or explanations where one action directly triggers another, often with a clear, expected result.
Example: このボタンを押してください。そうすると、ドアが開きます。 (Please press this button. Then, the door will open.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in both spoken and written Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (N2). The concept is straightforward, but distinguishing it from similar connective expressions requires careful attention to nuance.
Example Sentences
電車が遅延しています。そうすると、会議に間に合わないかもしれません。
The train is delayed. As a result, I might not make it to the meeting.
彼は毎日日本語を勉強している。そうすると、どんどん上達するだろう。
He studies Japanese every day. In that case, he’ll probably improve rapidly.
このボタンを押してください。そうすると、ドアが開きます。
Please press this button. Then, the door will open.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Logical Consequence
~そうすると strongly implies a logical connection where the second clause is a direct or expected consequence of the first. It’s not just a simple sequence.
Example: 彼が来ない。そうすると、私たちだけで始めよう。(He’s not coming. In that case, let’s start without him.)
Contextual Implication
It often assumes a shared understanding of the situation between speaker and listener, leading to a logical conclusion.
Example: A: 今日は雨が降るらしいよ。(I heard it’s going to rain today.) B: そうすると、傘を持って行った方がいいね。(In that case, it’d be better to take an umbrella.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it for simple chronological order without a cause-effect relationship.
✅ Use 「そして」 for simple chronological order.
「そうすると」 emphasizes a consequence, not just “and then.” For example, after eating, you simply go to sleep (そして), it’s not a consequence of eating (そうすると).
❌ Confusing it with immediate, direct conditional results (like 「〜すると」).
✅ While similar, 「そうすると」 often implies a more thought-out or derived consequence from a broader situation, whereas 「〜すると」 is for immediate, direct cause-and-effect.
「〜すると」 implies an immediate, direct result (e.g., 「ボタンを押すと、ドアが開く」- “When you press the button, the door opens”). 「そうすると」 often requires a slight pause or takes the previous statement as a whole premise.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral. It can be used in both polite and casual conversations depending on the surrounding sentence structure and context.
Social Situations: Appropriate for a wide range of social situations, from casual discussions among friends to more formal explanations in professional settings.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in meaning or usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

~すると (suru to) vs. ~そうすると (sou suru to)
「〜すると」 often indicates a direct, immediate, and sometimes habitual or automatic consequence. 「そうすると」 implies a logical deduction or consequence based on a broader preceding statement or situation, often with a slight pause or reflection.
When to use: Use 「〜すると」 for immediate, direct results or natural phenomena. Use 「そうすると」 when you are drawing a logical conclusion or consequence from a previous statement or situation, often implying “if that’s the case, then…”
~そして (soshite) vs. ~そうすると (sou suru to)
「そして」 is a simple conjunction meaning “and then,” indicating mere chronological sequence or adding information. It does not imply a cause-effect relationship. 「そうすると」 always implies a consequence or logical next step.
When to use: Use 「そして」 for simple sequential actions or to add information. Use 「そうすると」 when the latter action/state is a direct, logical consequence of the former.
~そのため (sono tame) vs. ~そうすると (sou suru to)
「そのため」 is more formal and explicitly states “because of that” or “for that reason,” strongly emphasizing the reason. 「そうすると」 can be a softer, more conversational way to state a consequence, not always a strict “reason.”
When to use: Use 「そのため」 for clear, explicit reasons or causes, often in more formal writing. Use 「そうすると」 for more general logical consequences, especially in spoken language or less formal writing.

📝 Conjugation Notes

「そうすると」 functions as a conjunctive phrase, connecting two complete clauses or sentences. It does not require conjugation itself. The verb/adjective in the preceding clause can be in various forms (plain form, polite form, past tense, etc.) depending on the context.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounce each part clearly: そう (sou) – する (suru) – と (to). The 「そう」 often carries a slight emphasis, highlighting “that” or “such a situation.” The “s” in 「すると」 is unvoiced.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「そう」 as “that way” or “such a thing,” and 「すると」 as “if/when that happens.” So, the phrase literally means something like “If that happens, then…” or “Doing it that way, then…”. This highlights its role in leading to a logical outcome.

Vocabulary List
遅延
chien
delay
会議
kaigi
meeting
間に合う
maniau
to be in time for
毎日
mainichi
every day
勉強する
benkyousuru
to study
上達する
joutatsusuru
to improve
ボタン
button
Kanji List
遅
ち
delay
延
えん
extend
会
かい
meeting
議
ぎ
deliberation
間
ま、あいだ
interval, between
合
あ、ごう
fit, join
毎
まい
every
日
にち、ひ
day
勉
べん
endeavor
強
きょう、つよ
strong
上
じょう、うえ
up, above
Practice Exercises
質問があれば、いつでも聞いてください。そうすると、＿＿＿＿＿。
a) 分かりません
b) 疑問が解決します
c) 困ります
d) 問題がない
この薬を飲むと眠くなる。そうすると、＿＿＿＿＿。
a) 運転できます
b) 元気になります
c) 仕事がはかどります
d) 車の運転は避けたほうがいい
18 Views
Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *