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JLPT N2Cause & Effect

～以上(は)— Now That, Given That

Indicates that because a certain fact or situation is true, a natural obligation, resolve, or expectation follows. It means 'now that / since / given that X (is the case), then naturally Y.' The second clause typically expresses determination, duty, advice, or a strong opinion (must, should, want to).

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Pro lessonUNIT 14 · CAUSE & EFFECT

Structure · 形

[Plain form (Verb / い-adj / な-adj である / Noun である)] + 以上(は)

Examples · 例文

  • 約束した以上は、必ず守ります。

    Yakusoku shita ijō wa, kanarazu mamorimasu.

    Now that I've promised, I will absolutely keep my word.

    約束した (plain past) + 以上は sets up the fact, followed by the resolve 必ず守ります.

  • 学生である以上、勉強するのは当然だ。

    Gakusei de aru ijō, benkyō suru no wa tōzen da.

    Given that one is a student, studying is only natural.

    学生である (Noun + である) + 以上 leads to the natural expectation 当然だ.

  • 引き受けた以上、最後までやり遂げるつもりだ。

    Hikiuketa ijō, saigo made yaritogeru tsumori da.

    Now that I've taken it on, I intend to see it through to the end.

    引き受けた (plain past) + 以上 followed by つもりだ, a statement of determination.

Usage notes · 注意

  • The second clause carries obligation/resolve/judgment (べき, なければならない, つもりだ, はずだ, 当然).
  • With nouns and な-adjectives, use である before 以上.
  • Register: somewhat formal; common in speeches and writing.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～以上(は) is tested against.

vsからには

からには is nearly identical and interchangeable, but 以上は sounds slightly more formal/logical; からには feels a touch more emotional and spoken.

vs以上に

The comparison 以上に ('more than') is a different structure entirely; 以上(は) here means 'given that' and takes a plain-form clause.

More cause & effect

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