タグ: will

1. Nihon e Ikou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about going to Japan.)

We can’t find a subject in the sentence 1. If there is no subject in a sentence of beginners’ level, the subject is usually “Watashi (I)”. Then the sentence structure would be displayed as below;

2. [Subject=Watashi] wa {Verb Clause} to Omotte imasu.

We have already learned an expression of embedded clause in the exercises A1 and A2 of the section 21, where the sentences end with “to omoimasu.”. “to” is a particle that marks the end of the embedded clause. As for “Omoimasu” was just a Masu-form of the verb “Omou”. In the today’s sentence construction, the sentence’s ending is “Omotte imasu.” Why “V-te imasu” is used for today’s sentence? If someone says “Ikou to Omoimasu”, would this make big difference? Probably there is not much difference between “to Omoimasu” and “to Omotte imasu” because “Omou(think)” is a verb that tends to be stative rather than active. But for the sentence 1, it would be better to use “to Omotte imasu.” because you have been thinking for some period of time about what you are going to do from now on. “Have been thinking” is the point to use “V-te imasu”. And let me say this; mastering “V-te iru” is important to proceed from beginner’s level to intermediate level. This is a good chance to learn application of “V-te iru”.

The followings are examples of today’s sentence construction.

<Group 2 Verbs>

– Ashita, Eiga o Miyou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about to watching a movie tomorrow.)

– Nichiyoubi, Itaria Ryouri o Tabeyou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about eating Italian food on Sunday.)

<Group 3 Verbs>

– Rainen mo Kono Umi ni Koyou to Omotte imasu. (I am thinking about coming to this seashore again next year.)

– Nihon o Ryokou-shiyou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about traveling in Japan.)

<Group1 Verbs>

Gr1-W : Atarashii Pasokon o Kaou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about buying a new personal computer.)

Gr-K : Nihon de Hatarakou to Omotte immasu. (I have been thinking about working in Japan.)

Gr1-G : Hawai no Umi de Oyogou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about swimming in the beach in Hawaii.)

Gr1-S : Raishuu Apa’ato o Sagasou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about looking for an apartment.)

Gr1-T : Tsugi no Shiai de Katou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about winning the upcoming match.)

Gr1-B : Renkyuu ni Toukyou de Asobou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about having a fun in Tokyo in consecutive holidays.)

Gr1-M : Shizukana Machi ni Sumou to Omotte imasu. (I have been thinking about living in a quiet town.)

Gr1-R : Ichiban Mae no Seki ni Suwarou to Omotte imasu. (I am thinking about sitting in the front raw.)

What we are learning above is a sentence to express a will with a verb in volitional form. Of course, a learner needs to learn a lot of volitional forms in order to be able to utter the sentence of today. But a fact is that many learners don’t want to learn volitional forms and would tend to substitute the following sentence for today’s sentence.

– [V-masu without “masu”]+tai desu. / tai to Omoimasu. / tai to Omotteimasu.

Example; Nihon e Ikitai desu. (I want to go to Japan.)

This sentence using “-tai” is to express your desire, hope, and wish that are a little different from a will. It is desirable for learners to learn volitional form because the form is very often used for expressing your will, and as shown yesterday, for casual suggestions.

————————————–

This post was written with reference to the exercise A3 on Section31 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”