すると

すると Japanese Grammar Lesson

Grammar Type: Conjunction

Essential Meaning: Then / After that / In that case

Construction: Sentence 1. すると Sentence 2.

Notes:

• すると means “Then“, “After that“, or “In that case“. It is a shortened form of そうすると and the two can be used interchangeably. With すると, Sentence 1 introduces some situation, and Sentence 2 presents a situation that occurs as a natural consequence of Sentence 1.
  • E.g. ジョギングを始はじめました。すると、ご飯はんが美味おいしくなりました。[I went jogging. After that, I began to have a big appetite.] In this example, the speaker begins jogging (Sentence 1). He then becomes hungry as a natural consequence (Sentence 2).
  • E.g. 頭あたまが痛いたかったのでアスピリンを飲のみました。すると痛いたみがすぐとまりました。[I had a headache, so I took some Aspirin. Then, my pain quickly stopped.] In this example, the speaker has a headache and takes some aspirin (Sentence 1). The pain then then subsides as a natural consequence (Sentence 2).

• The と in すると is the conjunction と (Natural Consequence), which conveys the idea that an event in Sentence 1 brings about some natural and uncontrollable event in Sentence 2. Thus, すると represents an event that is out of the direct control of the speaker / subject, and すると cannot be used with volitional sentences such as commands, requests, or invitations.
  • E.g. *A: 今日きょうは忙いそがしいです。B:すると明日あした行いきましょう。[A: I’m busy today. B: In that case, let’s go tomorrow.] An invitation can not be used with すると.
  • E.g. *A: 今日きょうは忙いそがしい。B: すると明日あしたきてください。[A: I’m busy today. B: In that case, please come tomorrow.] A request can not be used with すると.
  • E.g. *A: あなたが来こないと困こまるんです。B: そうすると行いきます。[A: If you don’t come, it will be a problem. B: In that case, I will go.] A statement of volition can not be used with すると.
  • それでは can be used in place of すると in the above volitional examples.

• すると is closely related to それでは. The differences are:
  • (1) それでは CAN be used with volitional sentences.
  • (2) それでは requires that the speakers of Sentence 1 and Sentence 2 be different people.
    • E.g. *ジョギングを始はじめました。それでは、ご飯はんが美味おいしくなりました。[I went jogging. After that, I began to have a big appetite.] This example is ungrammatical because それでは can only be used when responding to a second person. すると would be the appropriate choice in this case.

Example Sentences:

ジョギングを始はじめました。すると、ご飯はんが美味おいしくなりました。[I went jogging. After that, I began to have a big appetite.]

A: 今日きょうは月曜日げつようびですよ。B: するとあのデパートは休やすみですね。[A: Today is Monday. B: In that case, that department store is closed, isn’t it?]

私わたしは自転車じてんしゃを買かいました。すると弟おとうとも欲ほしがりました。[I bought a bicycle. After that, my little brother appeared to want one too.]

頭あたまが痛いたかったのでアスピリンを飲のみました。すると痛いたみがすぐとまりました。[I head a headache, so I took some Aspirin. Then, my pain quickly stopped.]

A: 息子むすこは今いま高校三年こうこうさんねんです。B: すると、来年らいねんは大学だいがく受験しけんですね。[A: My son is a 3rd year high school student. B: In that case, he has university entrance exams next year, doesn’t he?]

WILD Examples:

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