Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Time order with それから
Use to continue a time sequence after one action finishes.
Start with the example
。、。
I ate breakfast. After that, I went to school.
This is a simple daily routine sequence.
Notice the variation
。、。
I did my homework. Then I went to sleep.
Homework comes first, and sleeping comes after it.
More detail: how to apply this
means “after that” and usually continues a sequence in time.
It is useful when actions happen one after another.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Check whether the connected predicates describe actions in sequence or qualities that coexist.
adds that the bag is white. Both qualities can hold together; the bag is not said to turn white afterward.
。、。
This bag is small. And it is white.
Check whether the connected predicates describe actions in sequence or qualities that coexist.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。、。
I ate breakfast. After that, I went to school.
This is a simple daily routine sequence.
Vocabulary notes
- 食べました
- ate
- それから
- and then; after that
- 行きました
- went
Compare in context
。、。
I did my homework. Then I went to sleep.
Homework comes first, and sleeping comes after it.
Vocabulary notes
- しました
- did
- それから
- and then; after that
Compare in context
。、。
I went to the library. After that, I borrowed a book.
Library actions often make a clear two-step sequence.
Vocabulary notes
- 図書館
- library
- 行きました
- went
- それから
- and then; after that
Section 2 of 4
Addition with そして
Addition with
Start with the example
。、。
This restaurant is inexpensive. Its food is delicious too.
The second sentence adds another positive feature; describes the food understood from the restaurant context.
Notice the variation
。、。
My father is an office worker. And my mother is a teacher.
can connect two related facts about family members.
More detail: how to apply this
adds another related statement.
It often feels like “and also,” especially when the second sentence gives one more quality or one more fact about the same topic.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
This restaurant is inexpensive. Its food is delicious too.
The second sentence adds another positive feature; describes the food understood from the restaurant context.
。、。
This restaurant is inexpensive. Its food is delicious too.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: This restaurant is inexpensive. Its food is delicious too.
Showing Addition with そして: Everyday words.
Target signal
。、。
This restaurant is inexpensive. Its food is delicious too.
The second sentence adds another positive feature; describes the food understood from the restaurant context.
Vocabulary notes
- この
- this
- そして
- and then; and
Preview
。、。
My father is an office worker. And my mother is a teacher.
can connect two related facts about family members.
Vocabulary notes
- 会社員
- company employee; office worker
- そして
- and then; and
Preview
。、。
The room is small. And it is very clean.
often adds one more description of the same object.
Vocabulary notes
- そして
- and then; and
- とても
- very
Section 3 of 4
Reading both connectors in short passages
Check whether the connected predicates describe actions in sequence or qualities that coexist.
Reading both connectors in short passages
。
、。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
describes the bag as small. This is a quality, not an action with a finish time.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
often moves a narrative to the next event.
can add either another fact or another event in sequence.
Check the predicates: adjectives can add qualities, while actions in a narrative can move time forward.
Neither connector has to be translated with a single fixed English word.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I got up at seven. Then I ate breakfast. After that, I went to school.
The sentence first adds a routine step, then continues the sequence.
。、。、。
I got up at seven. Then I ate breakfast. After that, I went to school.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I got up at seven. Then I ate breakfast. After that, I went to school.
Showing Reading both connectors in short passages: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。、。、。
I got up at seven. Then I ate breakfast. After that, I went to school.
The sentence first adds a routine step, then continues the sequence.
Vocabulary notes
- 食べました
- ate
- それから
- and then; after that
- 行きました
- went
Preview
。、。
This bag is small. And it is white.
This pattern adds two qualities of one object.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- そして
- and then; and
Preview
。、。、。
First I went to the shop. After that, I bought apples. And then I returned home.
The last sentence continues the order after a short added detail.
Vocabulary notes
- 行きました
- went
- 帰りました
- went home; returned
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
、
Example B
、
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare 、 and 、.
moves the sequence forward;
signals contrast rather than a time step.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
moves the sequence forward; signals contrast rather than a time step.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Then returned / but returned
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.