Sample lesson
〜あまり(に)
This complete sample shows how JLS teaches Mastery. The exercise walkthrough is static; lessons in the course let you answer for yourself.
So much that; to the extent that; because of excess.
Formation
| Form | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb dictionary or ta-form + あまり | Use the dictionary form or ta-form (past) of a verb expressing intense emotion or mental activity. This pattern does not apply to generic activity verbs; it selects verbs of feeling, thinking, or intense concentration (考える, 悩む, 愛する, 心配する, 驚く). | 考えるあまり → 考えるあまり、眠れなくなってしまった。(He thought about it so much that he couldn't sleep.) |
| Noun + の + あまり | Use a noun (describing emotion or mental state) followed by の and あまり. This is the most common formation. | 悲しみのあまり → 悲しみのあまり、泣き崩れた。(Her sorrow was so great that she broke down crying.) |
| い-adjective stem + さ + の + あまり | Convert the い-adjective to its さ-nominalized form (stem + さ), then add の + あまり. | 悲しさのあまり → 悲しさのあまり、一言も話せなかった。(She was so sad that she couldn't say a word.) |
| Verb-derived noun + の + あまり | Verb-derived nouns of emotion/state (驚き, 喜び, 疲労, 緊張, 恥ずかしさ, 忙しさ) can directly attach の + あまり. Important: this pattern requires an emotion or intensity-state noun; activity nouns (研究, 勉強, 仕事 as bare topics) do not pattern here. | 疲労のあまり → 疲労のあまり、その場で眠り込んでしまった。(Due to his extreme exhaustion, he fell asleep on the spot.) |
See it in action
喜びのあまり、声が出なかった。
His joy was so great that he couldn't speak.
So much that; to the extent that; because of excess. Indicates that something has reached such an extreme degree that it results in an unexpected or unintended consequence.
The first clause names an intense degree of emotion or state (joy, sorrow, surprise), and the second shows its unintended result: 嬉しさのあまり、言葉が出なかった (his joy was so great that words failed him). The result was not chosen but caused by the excessive state. Common in narrative and formal written contexts; あまりに is slightly more emphatic than あまり.
Usage
Common in narrative, literary, and formal written contexts - novels, essays, news reports. Conveys intensity of a feeling or condition and its unintended impact. Less common in casual conversation, though not unheard of in expressive speech.
Common mistakes
- ·Confusing あまり with あまりに. Both exist, but あまり is the standard form while あまりに is slightly more emphatic. Both are grammatically correct, but あまり is more versatile. Example: 驚きのあまり (more common) vs. 驚きのあまりに (slightly more emphatic).
- ·Using あまり as the adverb 'too much' or 'not very.' The pattern 〜あまり is different from the adverb あまり (too much). Pattern: 食べ過ぎのあまり → 病気になった (so much eating that → became ill). Adverb: あまり食べない (don't eat much).
- ·Forgetting the noun particle の when using noun + あまり. Always use の between the noun and あまり: ✓ 悲しみのあまり ✗ 悲しみあまり (incorrect).
- ·Misplacing the consequence clause. The result of the excess must follow あまり in the same or next clause. Don't separate them too much: ✓ 疲労のあまり、その場で眠り込んだ ✗ 疲労のあまり。別の日に眠り込んだ。
- ·Using perfective aspect incorrectly. Often combined with ～てしまう to emphasize the unintended nature: 〜あまり、～てしまった (so much that inadvertently~). Don't use simple past alone if the nuance is about unintended consequence.
Related patterns
Both express degree leading to consequence, but ほど emphasizes the extent or proportion (the more X, the more Y), while あまり emphasizes extremity and unexpected consequence. ほど: 走るほど速くなる (the more you run, the faster you become). あまり: 緊張のあまり、倒れた (he was so nervous that he collapsed).
The adverb あまり means 'not very' or 'not much' (usually in negatives), while the pattern 〜あまり means 'so much that.' Adverb: あまり好きじゃない (not very much like it). Pattern: 好きなあまり、毎日訪れる (he likes it so much he visits every day).
Both express excess, but すぎて emphasizes 'too much' as a problem or criticism, while あまり emphasizes the extreme degree and its consequence more neutrally. すぎて: 辛すぎて食べられない (too spicy to eat-criticism). あまり: 辛さのあまり、涙が出た (the spiciness was so strong tears came out-description of reaction).
マヤは考えすぎたあまり、終電を逃した。
Maya overthought it so much that she missed the last train.
A personal slip from overthinking.悠希は心配のあまり、返事を書けなかった。
Yuuki was so worried that he could not write a reply.
Worry that blocks action.直子は確認を急ぐあまり、小さな数字を見落とした。
Naoko rushed the review so much that she overlooked a small figure.
A slip made under time pressure.ラヴィは説明したいあまり、話が長くなった。
Ravi was so eager to explain that he went on too long.
Going on at length out of enthusiasm.マヤは準備に集中するあまり、昼ごはんを忘れた。
Maya was so absorbed in getting ready that she forgot to eat lunch.
An everyday lapse from over-focus.How feedback works
This walkthrough is static. In the course, you answer exercises yourself.
Question
Which sentence correctly uses 〜あまり?
- 驚きのあまり、彼は言葉を失った。
- 驚きあまり、彼は言葉を失った。
- 驚きなあまり、彼は言葉を失った。
- 驚きはあまり、彼は言葉を失った。
Example response
驚きあまり、彼は言葉を失った。
Not quite
Feedback
Nouns use のあまり (with the particle の). The particle の must appear between the noun and あまり. Other options use incorrect particles or no particle.
Correct answer
驚きのあまり、彼は言葉を失った。