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JLPT N2 grammar comparison

〜一方(で) vs 〜一方だ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

The difference

From the 〜一方(で) lesson

〜一方だ: Completely different: "keeps on (increasing/decreasing)".

From the 〜一方だ lesson

〜一方(で): Different pattern: "on the one hand… on the other", a contrast between two sides.

Side by side

〜一方(で)

ippou (de) · JLPT N2

Meaning
on the other hand… / while… (two sides of the same thing)
Formation
Verb / い-adjective (plain form) + 一方(で)な-adjective + な / である + 一方(で)Noun + である + 一方(で)Sentence-initial: 一方、… (on the other hand, meanwhile)Note: 〜一方だ (without で, after a verb of change) is a different pattern: "keeps getting more and more"

  1. 都会の生活は便利な一方で、生活費が高い。

    とかいのせいかつはべんりないっぽうで、せいかつひがたかい。

    City life is convenient, but on the other hand living costs are high.

  2. 彼女は会社で働く一方、家では三人の子どもを育てている。

    かのじょはかいしゃではたらくいっぽう、いえではさんにんのこどもをそだてている。

    She works at a company while raising three children at home.

Full lesson on 〜一方(で)

〜一方だ

ippou da · JLPT N2

Meaning
keeps on -ing, continues to (change in one direction)
Formation
Vる + 一方だ

  1. 物価は上がる一方だ。

    ぶっかはあがるいっぽうだ。

    Prices just keep going up.

  2. 祖父の病状は悪くなる一方だった。

    そふのびょうじょうはわるくなるいっぽうだった。

    My grandfather's condition only kept getting worse.

Full lesson on 〜一方だ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 〜一方(で) and 〜一方だ?

Completely different: "keeps on (increasing/decreasing)".

When do you use 〜一方だ instead of 〜一方(で)?

Different pattern: "on the one hand… on the other", a contrast between two sides.