JLPT Cause, Reason, and Result Expressions: A Learning Roadmap

JLPT Cause, Reason, and Result Expressions: A Learning Roadmap

How to use this page

This page is a roadmap for understanding cause, reason, result, change, and purpose expressions as one flow.

Use it first to see not only why something happens, but also what result or change follows and what purpose an action has.

For detailed explanations of cause and reason expressions, go to JLPT Cause and Reason Expressions That Learners Often Confuse.

Reason, cause, and result expressions explain why something happens

JLPT grammar often tests expressions such as 「ために」, 「おかげで」, 「せいで」, 「だけに」, and 「によって」.

They may all be translated as “because” or “due to,” but in Japanese they differ in evaluation, objectivity, and how strongly the speaker views the reason.

This page organizes related RJT articles so you can review reason, cause, and result expressions together.

Good results and bad results

おかげで and せいで

First, check how the speaker evaluates the result.

• The difference between 「おかげで」 and 「せいで」
• The difference between 「ために」 and 「せいで」

「おかげで」 is often used for a good result. 「せいで」 is used for a bad result or complaint. 「ために」 can express either purpose or reason, so context is important.

How the speaker views the reason

ことだから and だけに

Even when two expressions both show a reason, the speaker’s way of viewing that reason may differ.

• The difference between 「ことだから」 and 「だけに」

「ことだから」 is used when predicting something based on a person’s character, position, or usual behavior. 「だけに」 is used when a certain reason makes the result or feeling stronger.

Cause, means, and case-by-case meaning

によって and によっては

「によって」 is a broad expression that can show cause, means, standard, and more.

• The difference between 「によって」 and 「によっては」

「によっては」 shows that the result changes depending on the case. It can feel close to a conditional expression as well as a reason expression.

Results that come with change

に伴って, につれて, and にしたがって

JLPT also tests expressions where one change progresses together with another change.

• The difference between 「に伴って」 and 「につれて」
• The difference between 「につれて」 and 「にしたがって」

「に伴って」 is often used for institutional or social change. 「につれて」 is often used for natural, gradual change. 「にしたがって」 shows that one change advances as another change advances.

Purpose and reason

ために, ように, and べく

「ために」 can express either purpose or reason.

• The difference between 「ために」 and 「ように」
• The difference between 「べく」 and 「ために」
• The difference between 「ので」 and 「から」

When reading these expressions, ask whether the sentence shows a purpose, a reason, or the speaker’s attitude.

Recommended study order

A good order for learning these expressions is:

1. Compare evaluation with 「おかげで」 and 「せいで」
2. Separate purpose and reason in 「ために」
3. Compare how reasons are viewed with 「ことだから」 and 「だけに」
4. Check cause and case-by-case meaning with 「によって」 and 「によっては」
5. Read change and result with 「に伴って」, 「につれて」, and 「にしたがって」

Related grammar guides

Reason and cause expressions often appear together with condition and inference expressions. Check the surrounding context to decide whether the sentence is showing a reason, a condition, or a result.

For a broader overview of reason and cause patterns, see the JLPT reason and cause expression guide. Confusing JLPT Reason and Cause Expressions