Posted inN2 Grammar

「〜つつある」：Mastering Gradual Change in Japanese (JLPT N2 Grammar)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“Is in the process of becoming…”, “is gradually …ing”, “is continuing to…”

🎯 Primary Function

To describe a situation or process that is currently underway and progressing gradually, often towards a certain state or outcome. It emphasizes the *process* of change, not just a static ongoing action or state.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb ます-stem + つつある (e.g., 変化する → 変化しつつある, 回復する → 回復しつつある, 進む → 進みつつある)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Highly common in formal speech, news reports, academic writing, and official documents.

😊 Informal Situations

Less common, almost never used in casual conversations.

✍️ Written Language

Very frequently used in written contexts.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal speeches, presentations, news broadcasts, but rarely in daily informal conversation.

💡 Common Applications

Describing Trends
Used to indicate a trend or shift that is slowly developing over time.
Example: 経済は回復しつつある。(The economy is recovering.)
Scientific/Technological Development
Suitable for expressing ongoing development or progress in research or technology.
Example: 新しい技術が開発されつつある。(New technology is being developed.)
Environmental/Social Changes
Often employed when discussing broad, gradual changes in environment or society.
Example: 地球温暖化が進みつつある。(Global warming is progressing.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and written contexts; rare in informal spoken Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
Medium-high (for N2 learners), mainly due to its formal nuance and subtle difference from similar grammar patterns.
Example Sentences
日本経済は徐々に回復しつつある。
The Japanese economy is gradually recovering.
この地域では、人口が減少しつつある。
The population in this region is continuing to decrease.
新しい治療法が開発されつつある。
A new treatment method is currently being developed.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Gradual Process
Emphasizes a slow, continuous change or development over time, rather than an instantaneous action or a static state.
Example: 地球温暖化が進みつつある。(Global warming is progressing gradually.)
Formal Tone
It carries a more formal, literary, or academic tone, making it suitable for written reports, news, and formal presentations.
Example: 政府は新しい政策を検討しつつある。(The government is in the process of reviewing new policies.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using ~つつある for a simple ongoing action.
✅ Use ~ている for simple ongoing actions.
~つつある implies a process of change, not just an action in progress. For example, you wouldn’t say 「ご飯を食べつつある」(I am in the process of eating rice) for a simple action, but rather 「ご飯を食べている」 (I am eating rice).
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: High politeness/formality.
Social Situations: Academic papers, news broadcasts, official reports, formal presentations, and serious discussions.
Regional Variations: None significant across different regions of Japan.

🔍 Subtle Differences

~つつある vs. ~ている
~つつある focuses on a *gradual process of change or development* (e.g., becoming warmer, decreasing). ~ている focuses on a *simple ongoing action* (e.g., running, reading) or a *state resulting from an action* (e.g., the door is open).
When to use: Use ~つつある for describing trends, societal shifts, scientific developments. Use ~ている for describing what someone is currently doing, or a current state.
~つつある vs. ~ようになる
~つつある describes the *process* of change, emphasizing the unfolding of the transformation. ~ようになる describes the *result* or *outcome* of a change, emphasizing the new state that has been achieved.
When to use: Use ~つつある when talking about the “how” (the unfolding process of change). Use ~ようになる when talking about the “what” (the new state that has come to be).
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📝 Conjugation Notes

Always attach to the ます-stem of verbs. For する verbs, the ます-stem is し, so it becomes しつつある.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced smoothly. 「つつ」 is two morae. The emphasis is on the continuous nature of the process.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「つづく」(tsuzuku – to continue) and 「ある」(aru – to be). So, it signifies “continuing to be in a certain state/process.” The repetition of the “つ” sound might help visualize a continuous, unfolding process.

Vocabulary List
経済
keizai
economy
回復する
kaifuku suru
to recover
徐々に
jojo ni
gradually, steadily
地域
chiiki
region, area
人口
jinkō
population
減少する
genshō suru
to decrease
治療法
treatment method
Kanji List
経
ケイ
pass through, warp, longitude
済
サイ
finish, done, cross over
回
カイ
turn, revolve
復
フク
restore, return to
徐
ジョ
gradually, calmly
地
チ
ground, earth, region
域
イキ
range, region, limits
人
ジン、ニン
person
口
コウ、くち
mouth, opening
減
ゲン
decrease, reduce
少
ショウ、すこ
little, few
Practice Exercises
日本の社会は( )しつつある。 (Choose the best fit for gradual change)
a) 食べて
b) 変化
c) 寝て
d) 読んで
この新しいプロジェクトは、( )に進みつつある。
a) 急に
b) 速く
c) 徐々に
d) 全然
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