What does ～がままに mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

States letting things happen without intervening. Usually used with the PASSIVE form or the verb 「なす」.

• 「～がままに」 = letting things be, allowing them to happen without resistance: 「言われるがままに」 (doing whatever one is told), 「なすがままに」 (letting things happen as they will).
• Mainly used with the PASSIVE form or fixed expressions (なすがまま・思うがまま); it is NOT freely combined with ordinary verbs.
• Carries a passive, sometimes negative, nuance (being led along, losing one's own initiative).

Examples

• 彼(かれ)は言(い)われるがままに書類(しょるい)にサインした。

  He signed the documents just as he was told.

• 風(かぜ)になすがままに、木(こ)の葉(は)が舞(ま)っていた。

  The leaves danced, entirely at the wind’s mercy.

Keep in mind

• Used with the passive form or fixed expressions.
• Carries a passive nuance.

Common mistakes

• Wrong窓(まど)を開(あ)けるがままにしておいた。

  I left the window open as it was.

  Correct窓(まど)を開(あ)けたままにしておいた。

  The meaning "leave a state as it is" uses 「～たまま」; 「がままに」 means "letting happen" (usually the passive form).

• Wrong彼(かれ)は歩(ある)くがままに進(すす)んだ。

  He went along, carried wherever the crowd swept him.

  Correct彼(かれ)は流(なが)されるがままに進(すす)んだ。

  「がままに」 is not freely combined with ordinary verbs; use the passive form or a fixed expression.

Exam tips

• 「がままに」 = letting happen (passive form/fixed expressions); different from 「～たまま」 (keeping a state unchanged).

Related patterns

• ～まま
• ～なりに
• ～に任せて