N4 · Unit 11
Lesson 42Unchanged states and unmet expectations
Describe an unchanged state, a result contrary to expectation, or an outcome that should follow from known reasons.
What you learn
Describe an unchanged state, a result contrary to expectation, or an outcome that should follow from known reasons.
Learning points
- Unchanged states
- Contrary to expectation
- Expected outcomes
Why this lesson comes now
This lesson connects what you can already say to a new way of expressing it. Hear the key sentences, understand the structure, then use it in a real situation.
Your next step
Listen to the key sentences, understand the pattern, finish the examples and vocabulary, then continue to the next lesson.
Open the interactive lessonCore pattern
動詞た形 / ない形 + まま ・ Nの + まま ・ 普通形 + のに ・ 普通形 + はずです ・ 普通形 + はずが ありませんBeginner explanation
〜まま means one action is done while a state that would normally change remains unchanged; use た-form＋まま for an affirmative state and ない-form＋まま for a negative one. 〜のに marks a result contrary to expectation, and its result clause does not take a command or request. 〜はずです is a confident inference based on a reason, not an obligation; use 〜はずがありません to reject the possibility strongly.
Understand these sentences first
- 電気を つけたまま、寝て しまいました。denki o tsuketa mama, nete shimaimashita
I fell asleep with the light on.
- 朝ご飯を 食べないまま、会社へ 行きました。asagohan o tabenai mama, kaisha e ikimashita
I went to work without eating breakfast.
- 約束したのに、友達は 来ませんでした。yakusoku shita noni, tomodachi wa kimasen deshita
Although we had made plans, my friend did not come.
- 電車は もう 駅に 着いているはずです。densha wa mō eki ni tsuite iru hazu desu
The train should have arrived at the station by now.
Core vocabulary
- 状態じょうたいstate
- 約束やくそくpromise; appointment
- 目覚ましめざましalarm clock
- 責任者せきにんしゃperson in charge
- 空腹くうふくempty stomach
- 故障こしょうbreakdown
- 到着とうちゃくarrival
- 留守るすbeing away
Grammar, one point at a time
た-form or ない-form + まま means the state remains unchanged during the next action
Vた／Vない + まま、BUse the past form for an affirmative state, the negative form for something left undone, and Nのまま for a noun. It highlights a state that could or should have changed but did not.
Examples
- テレビを つけたまま、出かけました。I went out with the television left on.
- 朝ご飯を 食べないまま、会社へ 行きました。I went to work without eating breakfast.
- 空腹のまま 出発しました。I left while still hungry.
Concessive のに marks a result contrary to knowledge, a promise, or expectation
普通形 + のに、BNa-adjectives and nouns take なのに. The second clause states an observed or actual contrast and normally does not contain a command, request, or the speaker's volitional act.
Examples
- 目覚ましを かけたのに、起きられませんでした。Although I set an alarm, I could not get up.
- 便利なのに、使う人が 少ないです。Although it is convenient, few people use it.
- 作家なのに、読書が 嫌いです。Although he is a writer, he dislikes reading.
のに marks violated expectation, ので marks cause, and が／けど gives a general contrast
のに ↔ ので ↔ が／けど寒いのに出かけた marks an unexpected result. 寒いので出かけない gives a cause. 寒いけど出かける is a general contrast and may introduce volition.
Examples
- 寒いのに、窓が 開いています。Although it is cold, the window is open.
- 寒いので、窓を 閉めます。I will close the window because it is cold.
- 寒いですが、換気のために 窓を 開けてください。Although it is cold, please open the window for ventilation.
はずです is a confident inference based on a reason, schedule, or known fact
普通形 + はずですNa-adjectives take なはず and nouns take のはず. It does not mean an obligation; it means the evidence leads one to expect this result.
Examples
- 会議は 5時までですから、もうすぐ 終わるはずです。The meeting ends at five, so it should finish soon.
- 彼は 学生のはずです。He should be a student.
- 資料は 机の上に 置いたはずです。I believe I left the papers on the desk.
はずがない or はずがありません strongly rejects a possibility based on evidence
普通形 + はずが ないIt is stronger than ないと思います. When evidence is weak, reduce certainty rather than presenting a guess as impossible.
Examples
- 張さんは 入院中ですから、旅行に 行くはずが ありません。Zhang is in hospital, so there is no way he is travelling.
- 7月の オーストラリアは 冬ですから、暑いはずが ありません。July is winter in Australia, so it should not be hot.
- そんな 高い品物を 子供が 買えるはずが ないです。A child could not possibly afford such an expensive item.
はず is inference, べき is normative judgment, and つもり is intention
はず／べき／つもりFor a norm, say 遅れるべきではない. For an inference from someone's usual conduct, say 遅れるはずがない. For one's own intention, say 遅れるつもりはない.
Examples
- 責任者は 遅れるべきでは ありません。The person in charge should not be late.
- 太田さんは 責任者ですから、遅れるはずが ありません。Ota is the person in charge, so he should not be late.
- 私は 遅れるつもりは ありません。I do not intend to be late.
Expressions and situations
目覚ましをかける or セットする means setting an alarm
目覚まし is short for 目覚まし時計. For a phone alarm, アラームをセットする is also natural.
- 6時に 目覚ましを かけました。I set the alarm for six.
- スマホの アラームを セットします。I will set the phone alarm.
Sentence-final んですもの, んだもの, or んだもん gives one's reason, often with an excusing or coaxing tone
Older descriptions classify it by women or children, but modern use depends more on character, age, relationship, and setting. Avoid it in formal contexts.
- 仕事が 多いんですもの。Because I have so much work.
- ノートを 学校に 忘れたんだもん。Because I left my notebook at school.
せっかく～のに says an effort or kindness did not receive the expected result
It can express disappointment, but should not pressure another person into repayment. State the facts before your own feeling.
- せっかく 教えてあげたのに、忘れられてしまいました。Although I made the effort to teach it, it was forgotten.
- せっかく 来てくれたのに、留守にして すみませんでした。I am sorry I was out even though you made the effort to visit.
こちらこそ returns thanks or apology and says the speaker feels it even more
It can answer よろしくお願いします, ありがとう, or すみません. It is not a mechanical equivalent of you're welcome; interpret the preceding remark.
- こちらこそ、よろしく お願いします。The pleasure is mine; I look forward to working with you.
- いいえ、こちらこそ 連絡せずに すみませんでした。No, I am the one who should apologize for not contacting you.
早速 means taking action promptly and can also thank someone for a quick reply
It conveys prompt initiative. For an objective event happening immediately, すぐ is often more neutral.
- 早速、企画案を 検討してみます。I will start reviewing the proposal immediately.
- 早速の お返事、ありがとうございました。Thank you for your prompt reply.
留守 means being away or unattended; 留守にする means leaving a place unattended for a period
It does not mean moving away permanently. Before handing over documents or items, confirm an authorized recipient rather than delivering merely because someone is present.
- 午後は 留守にします。I will be away this afternoon.
- 担当者は 留守です。The person in charge is away.
A proposal handoff should record recipient, time, authorization, and receipt confirmation
A colleague accepting an item does not mean the responsible person received it. Use authorized channels for sensitive documents and retain a handoff record under organizational rules.
- 企画案は 受付の 田中さんに 預けました。I left the proposal with Tanaka at reception.
- 受領確認は まだ 届いていません。Receipt has not yet been confirmed.
Motorcycle-courier area, timing, fares, waiting fees, cancellation, and accepted goods vary by operator and order
There is no nationwide rule of sixty minutes, one fixed per-kilometre increment, or twenty kilograms. Before ordering, read the transport terms, price table, size and weight limits, prohibited goods, liability, and handoff method.
- 料金と 配送条件を 確認してから 依頼します。I will request delivery after checking the price and conditions.
きっと, はず, and 確か express expectation, inference, and partial recollection
きっと来る conveys strong expectation, 来るはず rests on evidence, and 確か来る means the speaker recalls it that way without complete certainty.
- きっと 成功します。I am sure it will succeed.
- 予定表では、3時に 来るはずです。According to the schedule, they should arrive at three.
- 確か、明日 来ます。If I remember correctly, they are coming tomorrow.
What you should be able to do
- Attach affirmative, negative, and noun states to まま and identify what remained unchanged.
- Choose among のに, ので, が, and けど for violated expectation, cause, or general contrast.
- Create はず clauses from schedules, facts, and memory and state the evidence.
- Rewrite unsupported はずがない claims with cautious かもしれない or と思う.
- Distinguish はず, べき, つもり, and 予定 so inference, norm, intention, and schedule are not confused.
- Complete an original proposal-delivery task recording handoff and checking terms, price, timing, size and weight, prohibited goods, liability, and receipt.
Culture and real use
Urgent delivery is not one standard package: verify document handoff and transport conditions for every order
Japan's transport ministry publishes standard light-freight transport terms, while operators may use the applicable standard terms or lawful operator-specific terms. Actual fares and service conditions still depend on the operator and order. Current operator pages show charges based on road distance, area, waiting time, cancellation, and additional handling, while size, weight, and accepted goods vary by vehicle and service. Older statements such as sixty minutes within Tokyo and nearby prefectures, a fixed per-kilometre rate, or a twenty-kilogram limit are not nationwide current rules. When sending proposals, contracts, or documents containing personal information, also verify whether the item is accepted, packaging and declaration requirements, liability limits, the authorized recipient, and proof of delivery. Handing a document to a colleague proves only that the colleague accepted it, not that the responsible person reviewed it; retain a handoff record and obtain final confirmation.
- 運送約款と 料金表を 読んでから 依頼します。I will request delivery after reading the transport terms and price table.
- 担当者の 受領確認を 取ります。I will obtain receipt confirmation from the person in charge.
- 機密書類を 送れるかどうか、先に 確認します。I will first check whether confidential documents can be sent.