にします expresses the speaker's volitional choice or decision from among alternatives — e.g., ordering food, choosing a date, or deciding a course of action. になります expresses a change of state or an outcome that happens regardless of the speaker's will — e.g., turning a certain age, becoming a certain season, or a scheduled change. These are two of the first decision/change patterns learners encounter (N5). Do not confuse: にします is an active choice (the speaker decides), になります is a change of state (something becomes). In service contexts, 〜になります is also used as a polite but sometimes criticized substitute for 〜です.

The volitional form expresses the speaker's will or intention to do something, or functions as an invitation ('let's~'). When used alone at the end of a sentence, it conveys that the speaker has just formed the intention (similar to 'I'll do it'). In casual speech, this form is very common. For polite statements, use 〜ましょう (N5). When reporting someone else's intention, use V-意向形 + としている or V-意向形 + と思っている.

Expresses the speaker's intention or plan, combining the volitional form with 〜と思う. 〜ようと思います is used for intentions formed at or around the time of speaking; 〜ようと思っています is used for intentions that have been held for some time (ongoing plan). This is a natural, polite way to express plans without sounding overly assertive. The plain form 〜ようと思う is used in casual contexts. For third-person intentions, use 〜ようと思っている (not 〜ようと思う which is restricted to the speaker).

Expresses the speaker's conscious decision to do (or not do) something. こと nominalizes the preceding verb clause into 'the matter of doing ~,' and にする is the volitional choice — so literally 'I make it the matter of doing ~.' This pattern emphasizes the act of deciding itself, as opposed to simply stating an intention with 〜つもりだ (N4, which more neutrally reports a plan). The past form 〜ことにしました is also common ('I decided to ~'). For decisions made by others or by circumstance (not the speaker's personal choice), use 〜ことになる (N4) instead.

Expresses that a decision has been made or a situation has come about, but crucially NOT by the speaker's personal choice. The decision may come from a third party, an organization, or circumstances. ことになる frames the outcome as beyond the speaker's direct volition — it 'turned out that way.' The past form 〜ことになりました is frequently used in formal announcements (e.g., 'It has been decided that the event will be postponed'). Contrast this with 〜ことにします (N4), which is the speaker's own active decision. This distinction is fundamental to natural Japanese decision expressions.

Expresses that something is obviously or naturally the case — the speaker considers alternative outcomes unthinkable. Much stronger and more colloquial than 〜だろう (N5). きまっている literally means 'it is decided/fixed,' so this pattern implies the outcome is already settled. Often carries a tone of impatience or dismissiveness ('what else could it be?'). Common in casual speech; for polite contexts use 〜に決まっています. Stronger than 〜に違いない (N3) in that 〜にきまっている almost rules out any other possibility, while 〜に違いない leaves a slight opening.

Expresses that, given the circumstances, there is only one option left — the speaker must do it even if unwilling. しかない is the most colloquial; 〜ほかない is slightly more literary; 〜ほかしかたがない is the most emphatic (literally 'there is no other way'). All three convey resignation or acceptance of an unavoidable course of action. Similar to 〜しか仕方がない (N3, 'can't be helped') but focused on the action rather than the situation. Do not confuse with 〜ざるを得ない (N2, 'compelled by external circumstances'), which is more formal and implies stronger external pressure.

Downplays the importance, scale, or significance of something — 'it is nothing more than X.' The verb 過ぎる means 'to exceed/pass,' so 過ぎない (negative) means 'does not exceed' — i.e., 'it is only this much and no more.' Often used to dismiss or minimize. It can sound modest when applied to oneself but dismissive when applied to others' achievements. Similar to ただ〜だけだ (N4, 'it is just ~'), but 〜にすぎない is more formal and carries a stronger minimizing effect. Contrast with 〜にほかならない (N2, 'precisely/none other than'), which is affirmative rather than diminishing.

Also appears inHearsay & Conjecture·Judgment & Evaluation·Obligation, Permission & Advice

Expresses the speaker's strong determination NOT to do something — negative volition rather than negative conjecture. This is a separate function from the conjectural 〜まい (N2) discussed in the hearsay-conjecture group. In modern usage, it is mostly found in formal or literary contexts; 〜ないつもりだ or 〜ないようにする is more common in everyday speech. The construction with と (〜まいと) followed by a verb of effort (e.g., 〜まいと努力する) is a set pattern meaning 'try hard not to.' 〜まいとする expresses the direct attempt to refrain from doing something.

A formal, emphatic expression that identifies something as precisely and exclusively the case — ruling out all other possibilities. ほか means 'other/else' and ならない is 'is not,' so the whole expression literally means 'it is not other than X.' Used in formal writing, speeches, and analytical argumentation. When giving a reason, the structure 〜のは〜からにほかならない ('the reason for ~ is none other than ~') is very common. Similar to 〜にすぎない (N3) in that both identify exclusive identity, but 〜にほかならない is positive/affirmative ('it IS precisely X'), while 〜にすぎない is diminishing/dismissive ('it is MERELY X').

Used to assert the speaker's definition, evaluation, or judgment about what something essentially is or means. It carries the nuance 'this is what X truly consists of / what the essence of X is.' Often follows a statement that sums up a situation with conviction. Can also express the speaker's opinion that something is only natural or to be expected — 'that's just how it is.' Similar to 〜ということだ in its explanatory function, but 〜というものだ is more assertive and judgmental. The phrase そういうものだ means 'that's just the way things are.'

A set phrase meaning 'nothing surpasses ~' — used to state that doing something (or a certain state) is the best possible choice. こす/越す means 'to surpass/exceed,' so 〜にこしたことはない literally means 'there is nothing that surpasses ~.' Typically used to give advice, make recommendations, or express a general truth about what is optimal. Common with verbs of attention or preparation (準備する, 注意する, 確認する). The phrase preceded by a question word (e.g., 安いにこしたことはない 'the cheaper the better') is also common.

Has two related functions. (1) Resignation: the speaker accepts a situation as the only remaining option — 'if it comes to that, I'll just do X.' (2) Determination: the speaker frames an action as a simple, resolute course — 'I'll simply do X, that's all.' In both cases, まで implies a limit or endpoint. 〜までのことだ is slightly more emphatic. Common in the pattern 〜ば〜までだ ('if ~ then I'll just ~'). Similar to but less formal than 〜しかない (N3). Unlike 〜しかない, 〜までだ can express calm resolve ('I'll simply do this') as well as resignation.

Used to dismiss a strong evaluation as exaggerated or unwarranted — 'it doesn't merit being called X.' The verb 当たる here means 'to correspond to / to be applicable,' so 当たらない means 'it does not correspond to (that label).' Common patterns: 驚くに当たらない ('nothing to be surprised about'), 非難するに当たらない ('not worth blaming'), 称賛するに当たらない ('not praiseworthy'). Typically follows nouns of evaluation (驚き, 非難, 称賛, 批判) or their verb forms. This is a formal/literary expression; in everyday speech, 〜ほどのことではない is more common.

Expresses that a single contrary condition would undo everything or render all prior effort meaningless. それまで means 'up to that point' — i.e., beyond that threshold, nothing continues. The phrase carries a strong sense of finality: once this condition is met, the situation is irreversibly over. Often used in cautionary statements ('be careful because if X happens, it's all over') or to emphasize the fragility of a situation. The structure is 〜ば conditional plus それまでだ. Related to 〜までだ (N2, 'I'll just do ~') but carries a much stronger tone of terminality.