Grammar Structures for “Doing A First, Then Doing B” in Japanese (N2 Level Focus)

In JLPT N2, several grammar structures express “doing A first, then doing B”. While 「上で」 is the most commonly used, other expressions like 「あとで」「すえに」「たところ」「てから」「次第」 also convey sequential actions. Below is a detailed comparison of their usage, frequency in N2 exams, and key distinctions.

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1.「上で」 (Vた上で)

✅ “First A, then B” with B depending on A

• Structure: Vた + 上で
• Meaning:

  • Emphasizes that B can only happen after A is completed.
  • Commonly used with decisions, discussions, and plans.

📌 Example Sentences: ✅ 「書類を確認した上で、サインしてください。」
➡️ (Please sign after checking the documents.)

✅ 「先生と相談した上で、進学を決める。」
➡️ (After consulting with my teacher, I will decide on further studies.)

📌 N2 Exam Focus:

• Highly frequent (🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟) in grammar fill-in-the-blank and reading comprehension questions.

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2.「すえに」 (Vたすえに)

✅ “After a long process, finally B”

• Structure: Vた + すえに / Noun + の + すえに
• Meaning:

  • Indicates that A took a long time, and B is the final conclusion.
  • More formal and often appears in written or official contexts.

📌 Example Sentences: ✅ 「長時間の議論のすえに、新しい法律が決まった。」
➡️ (After a long discussion, a new law was decided.)

✅ 「悩んだすえに、彼女は会社を辞めることにした。」
➡️ (After much contemplation, she decided to quit her job.)

📌 N2 Exam Focus:

• Frequently tested (🌟🌟🌟🌟) in reading comprehension.

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3.「たところ」 (Vたところ)

✅ “After doing A, I discovered B (unexpectedly)”

• Structure: Vた + ところ
• Meaning:

  • B is an unexpected result or discovery after A.
  • Often used in storytelling or recounting experiences.

📌 Example Sentences: ✅ 「先生に相談したところ、新しい方法を教えてもらった。」
➡️ (After consulting my teacher, I learned a new method.)

✅ 「友達に電話したところ、もう家にいた。」
➡️ (After calling my friend, I found out he was already home.)

📌 N2 Exam Focus:

• Moderately frequent (🌟🌟🌟) in listening and reading comprehension.

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4.「てから」 (Vてから)

✅ “After A, then B (clear time sequence)”

• Structure: Vて + から
• Meaning:

  • Emphasizes a clear time sequence.
  • B must happen immediately after A.

📌 Example Sentences: ✅ 「仕事が終わってから、友達と飲みに行く。」
➡️ (After finishing work, I will go drinking with my friends.)

✅ 「日本に来てから、日本文化に興味を持った。」
➡️ (After coming to Japan, I became interested in Japanese culture.)

📌 N2 Exam Focus:

• Highly frequent (🌟🌟🌟🌟) in listening and reading comprehension.

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5.「次第」 (Vます + 次第)

✅ “As soon as A happens, B will follow immediately”

• Structure: Vます + 次第
• Meaning:

  • Used in formal/business contexts to express that once A happens, B will immediately follow.
  • Common in announcements and official statements.

📌 Example Sentences: ✅ 「準備ができ次第、会議を始めます。」
➡️ (As soon as the preparations are complete, we will start the meeting.)

✅ 「社長が到着次第、会議を始めます。」
➡️ (Once the president arrives, the meeting will begin immediately.)

📌 N2 Exam Focus:

• Moderately frequent (🌟🌟🌟) in business-related reading and grammar questions.

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6. N2 Exam Focus: Which Ones Are Most Important?

Expression	Meaning	Exam Frequency	Common Test Types
上で	B depends on A	🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (Very High)	Grammar, Reading
すえに	Final conclusion after a long process	🌟🌟🌟🌟 (High)	Reading
たところ	Unexpected discovery after A	🌟🌟🌟 (Medium)	Listening, Reading
てから	Clear time sequence A → B	🌟🌟🌟🌟 (High)	Listening, Reading
次第	B happens immediately after A	🌟🌟🌟 (Medium)	Business, Reading

📌 Most frequently tested: 「上で」「すえに」「てから」
📌 Also important: 「たところ」「次第」

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7. Summary

✅ If B depends on A → Use 「上で」
✅ If A takes time and B is the final outcome → Use 「すえに」
✅ If B is an unexpected discovery after A → Use 「たところ」
✅ If A happens, then B (clear time order) → Use 「てから」
✅ If A happens, then B immediately follows (formal) → Use 「次第」