Japanese Complex Sentences for Intermediate
When you move past beginner connectors like から / ので / て / とき / たら, you start seeing more sentence connectors in intermediate Japanese.
If you’d like to review how those beginner connectors work first, you can read our Beginner guide to Japanese sentence connectors (N5–N4) here.
Beginner guide to Japanese sentence connectors (N5–N4)
In this article, we’re going to explain the main intermediate connectors:
- と
- ば
- なら
- のに
- ため（に）
Intermediate Sentence Connectors
| Level | Japanese | Main meaning | Closest English | Example (Non-polite & Polite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N3 | と | inevitable result | when / whenever | 春になると、桜が咲きます。 テストが終わると、ほっとします。 |
| N3 | ば | general condition / hypothesis | if | 安ければ、買いたいです。 来たければ、来てもいいです。 |
| N3 | なら | premise condition / topic | if it is the case | 日本に行くなら、京都がおすすめです。 コンビニに行くなら、お菓子を買ってきてください。 |
| N2 | のに | contrast (unexpected or complaint) | although / even though | 彼はいい人なのに、可哀想です。 忙しいのに、来てくれてありがとう。 |
| N2 | ため（に） | cause / purpose | because of / for | 雨のため、試合が中止になりました。 病気のため、今日はお休みさせてください。 |
How to Think About These Connectors
Unlike beginner connectors (like **から / ので」), these don’t just connect actions — they connect ideas in a more logic-based way.
Here’s the basic mindset:
| Connector | What it does |
|---|---|
| と | Shows a result that always happens |
| ば | Sets a conditional situation you can judge |
| なら | Uses a topic / premise already known |
| のに | Shows a contrast against expectation |
| ため（に） | Shows a formal reason or purpose |
と — When the result is automatic
と is used when the result happens automatically once the condition is met.
There is no intention, no choice, and no judgement.
It’s commonly used for natural phenomena, rules, or habitual facts.
Basic pattern
Categories of 「〜と」 Usage (Plain form + と)
① Natural phenomena / seasonal changes
Results that happen as part of a natural process, independent of human intention.
春になると、桜が咲きます。
When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom.
気温が下がると、湖が凍ります。
When the temperature drops, the lake freezes.
② Effects of weather or environmental conditions
When a natural condition occurs, it causes changes in society or the environment.
雨が降ると、道が混みます。
When it rains, the roads get crowded.
③ Habits and regular actions
When a certain action happens, the same result occurs every time.
毎朝起きると、必ず紅茶を飲みます。
When I wake up every morning, I always drink black tea.
④ Operations, machines, and system responses
When a person performs an operation, the result happens automatically.
このボタンを押すと、エレベーターが下がります。
When you press this button, the elevator goes down.
⑤ Natural results following an action (perception)
After an action, a change happens naturally and unintentionally.
窓を開けると、風が入ってきた。
When I opened the window, the wind came in.
⑥ Change of position and resulting perception
By moving to a new place, something becomes visible or noticeable.
角を曲がると、学校の正門が見えた。
When I turned the corner, I saw the school gate.
What form comes before と (important)
と is attached to the plain form (dictionary form).
- 動詞（plain form）＋ と
雨が降る → 雨が降ると
ボタンを押す → ボタンを押すと - い形容詞（plain form）＋ と
暑い → 暑いと - な形容詞・名詞 ＋ だ → だと
静かだ → 静かだと
学生だ → 学生だと
In most cases, plain form + と is the natural choice.
Very important restriction (THIS IS KEY)
❌ と cannot be used with intention, requests, or decisions.
Because と describes automatic results, it cannot be used when the result involves:
- will
- choice
- command
- request
Incorrect
✖ 時間があると、行こう。
✖ 雨が降ると、家にいよう。
These sound unnatural because someone is deciding what to do.
Correct alternatives
時間があったら、行こう。
If I have time, let’s go.
雨が降ったら、家にいよう。
If it rains, let’s stay home.
👉 Use 〜たら instead.
Plain vs Polite before と
| Form before と | Natural? | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Plain form + と | ◎ very natural | facts, rules, habits |
| Polite form + と | △ limited | formal / explanatory |
| Intention + と | ✖ wrong | not automatic |
Key idea
Ask yourself:
“Does this happen by itself?”
- Yes → と
- No → たら / ば / なら
ば — When the result is a logical judgement
Core meaning
ば is used to express a general condition or hypothesis.
The speaker judges the condition and states what would logically follow.
Unlike と, the result is not automatic.
Basic pattern
Conditional form (ば-form) + result
安ければ、買う。
If it’s cheap, I’ll buy it.
時間があれば、行きます。
If I have time, I’ll go.
This structure is commonly used for:
- logical conditions
- personal judgement
- general conclusions
A quick reminder about the form
Japanese learners usually learn this as the ば-form (conditional form).
- 安い → 安ければ
- ある → あれば
Most learners know how to form ば.
The real difficulty is not the form, but when it should (or should not) be used.
Key difference from と
With ば, the speaker is thinking and deciding.
- と → automatic result (no judgement)
- ば → logical judgement by the speaker
Compare:
春になると、桜が咲く。
(The result just happens.)
安ければ、買う。
(The speaker decides based on the condition.)
Common learner mistakes (very important)
❌ Using ば with intention or invitation
✖ 安ければ、買おう。
✖ 時間があれば、行こう。
These sound unnatural because the result shows a momentary intention.
Natural alternatives:
✅ 安かったら、買おう。
✅ 時間があったら、行こう。
❌ Using ば for one-time past events
✖ 昨日雨が降れば、家にいました。
ば expresses a general condition, not a specific past event.
Natural alternatives:
昨日雨が降ったら、家にいました。
昨日雨が降ったから、家にいました。
❌ Using ば for simple time sequence
✖ ドアを開ければ、彼が入ってきました。
This describes what happened after, not a condition.
Natural alternative:
ドアを開けたら、彼が入ってきました。
ば and たら — when both are possible
In many situations, ば can be replaced with たら, and both are grammatically correct.
安ければ、買いたい。
安かったら、買いたい。
時間があれば、行きます。
時間があったら、行きます。
The nuance is different:
- ば → logical, abstract condition
- たら → concrete situation or timing
Key idea
Ask yourself:
“Am I making a logical judgement?”
- Yes → ば
- It just happens → と
- It’s about timing or situation → たら
なら — When the condition is already known
なら is used when the condition is already known, mentioned, or assumed in the conversation.
The speaker reacts to that information and gives:
- a suggestion
- advice
- an opinion
- a judgement
Unlike と or ば, なら does not describe a natural or logical condition.
It is about responding to a situation or shared information.
Basic pattern
Plain form + なら + result
日本に行くなら、京都もおすすめです。
If you’re going to Japan, Kyoto is also recommended.
時間があるなら、少し休んだほうがいい。
If you have time, you should take a short break.
What form comes before なら (important)
なら attaches to the plain form.
- Verb (plain) + なら
行く → 行くなら - i-adjective (plain) + なら
暇 → 暇なら - na-adjective / noun + なら
静か → 静かなら
学生 → 学生なら
👉 Unlike と, なら does not require だ before it.
Why learners confuse なら and たら
Learners often confuse なら and たら because both are translated as if in English.
However, the way of thinking is different.
たら — deciding what to do after a condition happens
時間があったら、今度食事に行きましょう。
If I have time, let’s go out to eat sometime.
なら — reacting to information that is already known
時間があるなら、もう一杯飲みましょう。
If that’s the case, let’s have one more drink.
Why learners confuse なら and と
Learners also confuse なら and と, because both can appear in conditional-looking sentences.
と is used for automatic results or natural phenomena.
✅ 春になると、桜が咲く。
When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom.
(The result happens automatically.)
Because no one is reacting to information here, the following sentence sounds unnatural:
✖ 春になるなら、桜が咲く。
Key difference
- と → automatic result
- ば → logical judgement
- たら → conditional decision / timing after something happens
- なら → reaction to known information
Key idea
Ask yourself:
“Am I reacting to information or a situation?”
- Yes → なら
- It happens automatically → と
- It’s a logical condition → ば
のに — When reality breaks expectations
のに is used when the result goes against what the speaker expects.
There is often:
- surprise
- disappointment
- complaint
- emotional reaction
Unlike と, ば, or なら, のに expresses the speaker’s feelings about the situation.
Basic pattern
Plain form + のに + result
兄は、台風なのに、遊びに出かけました。
Even though there was a typhoon, my brother went out to have fun.
友人は、忙しいのに、勉強を手伝ってくれました。
Even though my friend was busy, he/she helped me study.
What form comes before のに (important)
のに is attached to the plain form.
- 動詞（plain form）＋ のに
行く → 行くのに - い形容詞（plain form）＋ のに
忙しい → 忙しいのに - な形容詞・名詞 ＋ な → な＋のに
元気 → 元気なのに
台風 → 台風なのに
Key difference from と・ば・なら
- と → automatic result
- ば → logical judgement
- なら → reaction to known information
- のに → emotional contrast / broken expectation
Compare:
春になると、桜が咲く。
(automatic)
安ければ、買う。
(logical decision)
日本に行くなら、京都もおすすめです。
(reaction)
兄は、台風なのに、遊びに出かけました。
(expectation is broken)
Very important restriction (THIS IS KEY)
❌ のに is not used for neutral facts.
Because のに expresses emotion, it sounds unnatural in objective descriptions.
✖ 台風なのに、雨が強い。
This sounds strange because there is no emotional contrast.
Common learner mistake
❌ Using のに when simply stating two facts
✖ 忙しいのに、仕事があります。
Natural alternatives:
忙しくて、仕事が終わりません。
忙しいから、仕事が終わりません。
Key idea
Ask yourself:
“Am I feeling surprise, disappointment, or appreciation?”
- Yes → のに
- No → と / ば / なら / から
Think of のに as…
In English, のに is often translated as although or even though.
But emotionally, it often feels closer to:
“Even though … (and that’s surprising / impressive / frustrating)”
ため（に） — When the reason sounds objective or formal
ため（に） is used to express a cause or purpose in an objective, neutral way.
It is often used when the speaker wants to:
- explain a situation factually
- sound formal or written
- avoid personal judgement or emotion
Compared with から / ので, ため（に） sounds more objective and formal.
Basic pattern
Reason + ため（に） + result
雨のため、試合が中止になりました。
Because of the rain, the game was canceled.
事故のため、電車が遅れています。
Due to an accident, the train is delayed.
What form comes before ため（に） (important)
- 名詞 + の + ため（に）
雨 → 雨のため
事故 → 事故のため - 動詞（plain form）+ ため（に）
忘れる → 忘れるため（に）
Key difference from から / ので
- から → speaker’s reasoning
- ので → softer, considerate reason
- ため（に） → objective explanation
Compare:
雨だから、行きません。
(personal decision)
雨なので、行きません。
(soft, considerate)
雨のため、イベントが中止になりました。
(objective, factual)
Important note
❌ ため（に） is not used to show emotions or personal complaints.
✖ 雨のため、つまらないです。
This sounds unnatural because ため（に） avoids emotion.
Natural alternatives:
雨で、つまらないです。
雨だから、つまらないです。
Key idea
Ask yourself:
“Do I want to sound objective and factual?”
- Yes → ため（に）
- No, it’s personal → から / ので
Typical contexts
ため（に） is commonly used in:
- news reports
- announcements
- written explanations
- formal speech
That’s why it often appears in N2–N1 reading materials.
Comparing the connectors with the same situation: “It rains”
Let’s compare the intermediate connectors using the same basic situation: rain.
Even though the condition is the same, the meaning changes completely depending on the connector.
- 雨が降ると、道が混みます。
- 雨が降れば、道は混むでしょう。
- 雨が降ったなら、家にいたほうがいいですね。
- 雨が降ったのに、彼は傘を持たずに出かけました。
- 雨のため、試合は中止になりました。
と — automatic result
雨が降ると、道が混みます。
When it rains, the roads get crowded.
This describes something that happens automatically once the condition is met.
There is no intention, no choice, and no judgement.
This usage is common for:
- natural phenomena
- rules
- habitual facts
ば — logical judgement
雨が降れば、道は混むでしょう。
If it rains, the roads will probably get crowded.
Here, the speaker is making a logical judgement based on experience or common sense.
Unlike と, this includes the speaker’s reasoning or prediction.
なら — reaction to known information
雨が降ったなら、家にいたほうがいいですね。
If it’s raining, it’s better to stay home.
なら is used when the condition is already known or assumed, and the speaker reacts to that information.
This is less about “if” and more about responding to a situation.
のに — broken expectation / emotion
雨が降ったのに、彼は傘を持たずに出かけました。
Even though it rained, he went out without an umbrella.
のに is used when the result goes against what is normally expected.
It often carries feelings such as surprise, disappointment, or mild criticism.
The speaker feels that the result is unexpected or unreasonable.
ため（に） — objective cause
雨のため、試合は中止になりました。
Due to the rain, the game was canceled.
ため（に） is used for objective, factual reasons.
There is no emotion or judgement — just a clear explanation of cause and result.
This form is common in:
- news
- announcements
- formal writing
One situation, five different meanings
Even with the same condition — rain — each connector shows a different way of thinking:
- と → automatic result
- ば → logical judgement
- なら → reaction to information
- のに → broken expectation / emotion
- ため（に） → objective cause
Final tip for learners
Ask yourself:
- Does this happen automatically? → と
- Am I making a judgement? → ば
- Am I reacting to known information? → なら
- Do I feel surprise or frustration? → のに
- Am I explaining a fact? → ため（に）
If you choose the connector based on how you think, your Japanese will sound much more natural.
What you’ll learn at the advanced level
Once you’re comfortable choosing connectors based on how you think, the next step is learning connectors that express nuance, stance, and contrast more precisely.
At the advanced level, you’ll start learning expressions such as:
- ものの — formal contrast with evaluation
- にもかかわらず — strong contrast (“despite”)
- とはいえ / といっても — partial disagreement or soft correction
- 一方で — balanced contrast
- 上で / 次第で — conditions with structure and intention
These connectors are often used in written Japanese, news articles, essays, and formal explanations.
We’ll cover them in a future article, focusing on:
- how they differ from intermediate forms
- when they sound natural (and when they sound too strong)
- how native speakers actually use them
👉 This article will be linked here once it’s published.
