N4 Purpose & Change
~ように: meaning, usage and examples
~ように means: so that, in order to.
How to form it
＜Verb dictionary / ない-form / potential＞ + ように
Examples
忘れないように、メモをしました。
I took notes so that I wouldn't forget.
遅れないように、早く出発します。
I'll leave early so as not to be late.
風邪をひかないように、コートを着ました。
I put on a coat so that I would not catch a cold.
みんなが読めるように、大きく書きます。
I will write it large so that everyone can read it.
When to use it
Expresses a goal: "so that", "in order that". The ように clause describes a state or result you want, often with a potential verb or a negative: 合格できるように勉強する (study so that I can pass).
Nuance
The verb before ように is usually something you do not control directly: potential forms (読める), negatives (忘れない) and verbs like なる or わかる. For a direct, deliberate purpose, ために is used instead.
Compare
〜ように (goal/manner). 〜ために (purpose, more direct). 〜そうに (appearance of manner).
Tip: ように with a non-volitional verb in the goal clause is common: 忘れないように書く (write it down so as not to forget).
Related points
Same form, different use
More in Purpose & Change
- ~ために: for..., in order to…
- ~(の)に: for...
- ~ようになる: to reach the point that / to come to be that / to turn into
- ~になる/ことになる: ~になる: to become; ~ことになる: it has been decided that...
- ~がする: to sense a sound, smell, taste or feeling (音がする, においがする, 気がする)
- ~ようにする: making a conscious effort to do something
- ~(に)する/ことにする: ~にする: to decide on, choose (コーヒーにします); ~ことにする: to decide to do something
- ~から/でつくります: made from / of
- ~てくる: get..., come to...
Frequently asked questions
What does ~ように mean?
So that, in order to. Example: 忘れないように、メモをしました。 (I took notes so that I wouldn't forget.)
How do you form ~ように?
＜Verb dictionary / ない-form / potential＞ + ように. ように with a non-volitional verb in the goal clause is common: 忘れないように書く (write it down so as not to forget).