JLPTMainichi JLPT
English
JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

ばかりで (bakari de)

~ばかりで — only ~ (and nothing else, with a negative feeling)

In short · Says that someone only does one thing and does not do what they should, or that things keep getting worse: “only ~ and (nothing else).” It attaches to the dictionary form of a verb. The tone is critical or disappointed.
A free study page from Mainichi JLPT — the app has 429+ grammar points, plus vocabulary and mock exams.See the app

Pattern

  • 動詞辞書形 + ばかりで、~ない only does ~ and does not ~: 文句を言うばかりで何もしない
  • 動詞辞書形 + ばかりで、~(悪化) keeps getting worse: 悪くなるばかりで

Only one thing

Verb + ばかりで means that the person does nothing but that action, and the second half says what they do not do: ゲームをするばかりで、勉強しない. It contains a complaint. Positive, neutral cases take 〜だけで instead.

Getting worse

With verbs such as 悪くなる and 増える, ばかりで says that a trend continues in one direction only, with no improvement: 天気は悪くなるばかりで. This is a different meaning from ~たばかり (just did), so check the verb form.

Examples

  • 彼(かれ)は文句(もんく)を言(い)うばかりで、何(なに)もしません。

    Kare wa monku o iu bakari de, nani mo shimasen.

    He only complains and does nothing.

  • 弟(おとうと)はゲームをするばかりで、勉強(べんきょう)しない。

    Otōto wa gēmu o suru bakari de, benkyō shinai.

    My little brother only plays games and doesn't study.

  • 天気(てんき)は悪(わる)くなるばかりで、なかなか晴(は)れない。

    Tenki wa waruku naru bakari de, nakanaka harenai.

    The weather only gets worse and just won't clear up.

Common mistakes

  • Do not confuse it with ~たばかり (just did ~, past form + ばかり).
  • It sounds critical. Do not use it for praise.

More grammar points

Practice this in the app

Mainichi JLPT turns these grammar points into daily quizzes and a readiness gauge — 100% free, no sign-up.

See the app