Grammar?

gyuujuice · JLPT Starter Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 19

So I am studying for NJLPT1 and NJLPT 2 concurrently. I know around 1600 漢字 so I decided that I would learn all the 常用漢字 and then study for the JLPT 1. (JLPT 2 grammar first obviously) If I don't have the progress I need by August I will sign up for the NJLPT2 but my long term goal is the NJLPT1.

What books are good for JLPT 1 grammar? I heard that archaic or old grammar is used in the test. Are these rumors? I don't really want to study useless grammar.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4874241549/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i2?pf_rd_m=AN1VRQENFRJN5&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0Z7BQ35QX10YR6WNAA7A&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463376736&pf_rd_i=489986

This book looks great but I think I will buy the 完全マスター文法（1）too.
お勧めを教えてください！どうぞ宜しくお願いします！

ericspinelli · JLPT Helper Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 222 Location: Tokyo

If you don't have an N2 (2級) book already, pick up どんな時どう使う日本語表現文型500. It contains both 1級 and 2級 grammar in the same book at about the same price as buying a 完全マスター book for each level, but because they are listed together it makes for a better overall reference. Considering the new N1/N2 may be slightly different, it's use as a general grammar seems pretty important.

Yes, some of the grammar on the 1級 list is rare, very formal, or archaic, but it is used. Some native speakers will tell you it isn't used, some will tell you it is, but very few don't understand it themselves. Regardless, if your goal is to pass the test you have no choice but to study it. Keep in mind, though, that while some of the rarer forms may come up in text books, in the three times I took １級 the majority of the grammar questions covered common constructions.

gyuujuice · JLPT Starter Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 19

There are two forms of the textbook not including the optional workbook. One is for all 4 levels and one is for 2-1. (These are the old levels.)
Do you think I should get the one with all 4 levels?

＾＿＾’

http://www.amazon.co.jp/どんな時どう使う-日本語表現文型辞典-友松-悦子/dp/4757412355/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271277480&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.co.jp/どんな時どう使う-日本語表現文型500―日本語能力試験1・2級対応-アルクの日本語テキスト-友松-悦子/dp/4872345894/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271277480&sr=8-1

"Keep in mind, though, that while some of the rarer forms may come up in text books, in the three times I took １級 the majority of the grammar questions covered common constructions."

Great, thanks for the advice and recommendations!

Matttt83 · JLPT Starter Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 23

I also recommend どんな時どう使う日本語表現文型。 Good book with good example sentences and a mix of level 2 and 1. I would also recommend studying 完全マスター1級。　It got me through JLPT 1 when I sat it.

And dont worry about archaic or rarely used grammatical structures. They are usually only used in a handful of situations and with a handful of select words, so they are very easy to memorize and therefore easy questions to answer in the actual exam. Take ～の至り　for example. Its only really used with the following words 光栄、ご同慶、若気、赤面、　and out of those, I have heard it with 光栄 the most. See one of these words in the exam, and your answer is definitely ~の至り。

gyuujuice · JLPT Starter Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 19

Great! Well thank you for your advice!

I see so they are not too difficult - especially with a SRS.
皆さん、ありがとうございました！