JLPT N1 reference · Discourse and information structure
Marked word order
Particles preserve grammatical roles, but order still changes focus, rhythm, and processing.
Core meaning and form
Move constituents before the final predicate when topic continuity, contrast, heaviness, or afterthought motivates the order. Marked order should answer a discourse need; unrestricted scrambling can sound theatrical or obscure.
- Form: Move constituents before the final predicate when topic continuity, contrast, heaviness, or afterthought motivates the order.
- Core use: Particles preserve grammatical roles, but order still changes focus, rhythm, and processing.
- Context: Marked order should answer a discourse need; unrestricted scrambling can sound theatrical or obscure.
Examples in context
この本は、私はまだ読んでいない。Kono hon wa, watashi wa mada yonde inai.This book, I have not read yet.
昨日来たんです、彼が。Kinō kita n desu, kare ga.He came yesterday, he did.
その提案だけは、誰も反対しなかった。Sono teian dake wa, dare mo hantai shinakatta.That proposal alone, nobody opposed.
Common errors
- Do not select this pattern from an English translation alone; check its attachment and discourse function.
- Keep the surrounding sentence in a consistent plain, polite, spoken, or written register.
Quick summary
- Move constituents before the final predicate when topic continuity, contrast, heaviness, or afterthought motivates the order.
- Particles preserve grammatical roles, but order still changes focus, rhythm, and processing.
- Marked order should answer a discourse need; unrestricted scrambling can sound theatrical or obscure.