How to Use はずだ for Expressing Expectation in Japanese
Understanding はずだ
In Japanese, はずだ is a grammar structure used to express expectations or assumptions about something the speaker considers to be true. It's similar to saying "should be" or "ought to be" in English.
The Structure of はずだ
The structure involves adding はず after the dictionary form of a verb, an adjective, or a noun followed by だ (or です in polite form). This implies that based on certain information or logic, what follows is expected to be true.
彼は今、家にいるはずだ。
He should be home now.
今日は雨が降るはずです。
It should rain today.
彼女はこのことを知っているはずです。
She ought to know about this.
Using はずだ with Different Sentence Components
You can use はずだ after verbs, adjectives, nouns, and even entire sentences. Here's how you can structure them:
- Verb + はずだ: 行くはずだ (should go)
- Adjective + はずだ: 高いはずだ (should be expensive)
- Noun + のはずだ: 本のはずだ (should be a book)
Common Mistakes with はずだ
While はずだ is quite straightforward, learners often mix it up with similar expressions or use it in contexts where deduction is weak. Remember, はずだ requires logical reasoning or evidence behind the assumption.
By understanding how to correctly use はずだ, you can express expectations and assumptions more naturally in Japanese conversations.
Further Reading
- How to Use はずだ
Learn the nuances of はずだ in detail.
- Japanese Auxiliary Verbs
Compare はずだ with other auxiliary verbs.
- Japanese Grammar はず Usage
Explore practical examples of はず usage.