連用中止 ren'youchuushi

連用中止（ren'youchuushi）means “continuative (-i / -te) clause linking”. A formal way to join clauses by using a continuative form instead of 〜て: the masu-stem for verbs, 〜く for i-adjectives, で/であり for na-adjectives and nouns. Formation: V-ます（語幹）／ Aい→Aく／ Aな→で・であり／ N→で・であり（「いる」→「おり」）

continuative (-i / -te) clause linking

N3

Formation

V-ます（語幹）／ Aい→Aく／ Aな→で・であり／ N→で・であり（「いる」→「おり」）

Explanation

A formal way to join clauses by using a continuative form instead of 〜て: the masu-stem for verbs, 〜く for i-adjectives, で/であり for na-adjectives and nouns. It sounds written, literary, or formal, and is common in essays, news, and speeches. いる becomes おり in this style.

Examples

朝早く起き、夜遅くまで働いた。
あさはやくおき、よるおそくまではたらいた。
I got up early in the morning and worked until late at night.
この町は静かであり、自然も豊かだ。
このまちはしずかであり、しぜんもゆたかだ。
This town is quiet, and its nature is abundant too.

Note

Mostly written/formal. Avoid with two-mora verbs like 見る, 寝る, 来る (見, 寝, 来 sound too clipped); use 〜て there. いる→おり.

FAQ

連用中止 — what does it mean and how is it used?

continuative (-i / -te) clause linking. A formal way to join clauses by using a continuative form instead of 〜て: the masu-stem for verbs, 〜く for i-adjectives, で/であり for na-adjectives and nouns. It sounds written, literary, or formal, and is common in essays, news, and speeches. いる becomes おり in this style.

連用中止 — how do you form it?

V-ます（語幹）／ Aい→Aく／ Aな→で・であり／ N→で・であり（「いる」→「おり」）

連用中止 — any usage notes?

Mostly written/formal. Avoid with two-mora verbs like 見る, 寝る, 来る (見, 寝, 来 sound too clipped); use 〜て there. いる→おり.

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