These 8 patterns appear frequently in formal written Japanese and on the JLPT N1 exam. They express nuanced relationships between clauses that simpler patterns cannot.
〜に至ってonly when reaching (a critical point) / by the time
Byouki ga akka suru ni itatte, yatto byouin ni itta.
Only when the illness got worse did he finally go to the hospital.
〜をもってby means of / with / as of (a point in time)
Honjitsu wo motte, kono mise wa heiten itashimasu.
As of today, this store will close.
〜ならではのunique to / only possible with
Kore wa Nihon naradewa no bunka da.
This is a culture unique to Japan.
〜かたわらwhile also / alongside (doing something else)
Kare wa kaishain wo suru katawara, shousetsu wo kaite iru.
While working as a company employee, he also writes novels.
〜をおいてother than / apart from (there is no better option)
Kono shigoto ga dekiru no wa, kare wo oite hoka ni inai.
There is no one other than him who can do this job.
〜に即してin accordance with / based on
Jijitsu ni sokushite houkoku shite kudasai.
Please report based on the facts.
〜とあればif it is the case that / if so (then naturally)
Hitsuyou to areba, sugu ni shuppatsu shimasu.
If it is necessary, I will depart immediately.
〜ながらもeven though / despite (unexpected contrast)
Chiisai nagara mo, sono kaisha wa sekaijuu ni eikyou wo ataeta.
Small as it was, that company influenced the whole world.
Quick Quiz
Question 1 of 10
Which pattern means 'unique to / only possible with'?