Breakdown of yakusoku ni okurenai youni, tokei wo kakunin simasu.
にni
destination particle
をwo
direct object particle
確認するkakuninsuru
to check
遅れるokureru
to be late
時計tokei
clock
〜ない〜nai
negative form
約束yakusoku
appointment
よう にyou ni
so that
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have hundreds of Japanese lessons and thousands of exercises.
Questions & Answers about yakusoku ni okurenai youni, tokei wo kakunin simasu.
What function does ように serve when attached here to the negative form 遅れない?
ように after the plain or negative form of a verb expresses purpose or goal—“so that …” In 遅れないように, it means “in order not to be late” or “to avoid being late.”
Why can’t we use ために instead of ように in 遅れないように?
ために typically expresses a direct, willed purpose and is used with affirmative verbs (e.g. 行くために). ように is used when describing measures to achieve or avoid something you can’t completely guarantee—especially with negative verbs. So with 遅れない, ように is the natural choice.
Why is the particle に used after 約束? Could we say 約束を遅れる?
遅れる is an intransitive verb meaning “to be late for ….” You mark the thing you’re late for with に (場所／時間＋に遅れる). Therefore 約束に遅れる is correct, and 約束を遅れる is ungrammatical.
What nuance does 確認します add compared to simply saying 時計を見る?
見る just means “to look at.” 確認する means “to check” or “to verify.” 時計を確認します implies you’re intentionally checking the time to make sure you won’t be late.
Could you also say 時計をチェックします instead of 時計を確認します?
Yes. チェックする is a loanword meaning “to check” and is more casual. 確認します is neutral or slightly more formal, but both are correct.
The sentence uses 確認します in the ます form. How would you say this casually?
In casual speech you can drop the ます and say 時計を確認する. Even 時計見る (omitting を) is common among close friends.
What’s the difference between 遅れないように and 遅れませんように?
遅れないように (plain negative + ように) expresses purpose: “so that I won’t be late.”
遅れませんように (polite negative + ように) is a fixed expression used as a wish or prayer: “I hope I won’t be late.”
Why is the clause 約束に遅れないように placed before the main action 時計を確認します?
In Japanese, purpose clauses (marked by ように or ために) normally precede the main action they modify. First state the goal (not being late), then describe the action taken (checking the clock).