Question 1

What does も in 彼も express here—“also” or “even”?

Accepted Answer

Both are possible, but here it leans toward “even.” Because the sentence contrasts “usual times” (普段は) with “this time” (今度は), 彼も suggests “even he (who normally doesn’t…)” will do it. Note that も replaces the usual particle after a noun, so you don’t add が/は/を: you say 彼も, not 彼もが or 彼もは.

Question 2

Why are there two は—one in 普段は and one in 今度は?

Accepted Answer

They’re contrastive topics:
- 普段は sets the frame “as for usual times,” within the clause that modifies 彼.
- 今度は sets up a contrasting frame “this time.”
Japanese often uses paired topics like Xは…、今度は… to highlight a change of pattern.

Question 3

Is 普段は早起きしない彼 a relative clause? How can a whole clause modify 彼?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Japanese relative clauses come before the noun and don’t use relative pronouns. The bracketed clause modifies 彼:
- [普段は 早起きしない] 彼 = “the he who doesn’t usually get up early.”
Using は inside a relative clause is fine; it marks contrast/topic within that clause.

Question 4

Why is there a comma after 彼も? Is it necessary?

Accepted Answer

It marks a natural pause after the long modifier 普段は早起きしない彼も before shifting to the contrast 今度は. It’s stylistic; you can write it without the comma, but the pause improves readability.

Question 5

What’s the difference between 早起きする and 早く起きる?

Accepted Answer

- 早起きする uses the noun 早起き (“early rising”) + する. It treats “getting up early” as a single act/habit and is very common and idiomatic.
- 早く起きる is literally “to get up early” (adverb 早く + verb 起きる).
Both usually work interchangeably here. 早起き is also a standalone noun (e.g., 早起きは三文の徳).

Question 6

What nuance does つもりだ add? How is it different from 予定だ?

Accepted Answer

- つもりだ = intention/resolve of the subject (“plan to / intend to”). It’s about will.
- 予定だ = scheduled/expected plan (“is scheduled to / is slated to”). It’s more external or formal.
Saying 早起きするつもりだ emphasizes his own intention; 早起きする予定だ sounds like it’s on a schedule (possible, but less personal).

Question 7

Can I use つもりだ for a third person like 彼?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you infer it from evidence or you’re reporting what he said. To be explicit or cautious:
- Reported: 彼は早起きするつもりだと言っている。
- Hedges: …つもりらしい／…つもりのようだ。

Question 8

Why isn’t there が after 彼? Shouldn’t subjects take が?

Accepted Answer

The particle も replaces the usual case/topic particle. So you use:
- 彼も (not 彼もが/彼もは).
Context tells you that 彼 is the topic/subject for what follows.

Question 9

Does 今度 mean “this time” or “next time” here? How do I avoid ambiguity?

Accepted Answer

Context decides. Contrasted with 普段は, 今度は here means “this time (on this occasion).” To be unambiguous:
- “this time”: 今回（は）
- “next time”: 次回（は） or 次（は）
- For a specific date: 今度の土曜日, etc.

Question 10

Is the sentence polite? How do I say it more formally or casually?

Accepted Answer

The original ends in plain だ. Polite version:
- 普段は早起きしない彼も、今度は早起きするつもりです。
Casual speech often drops pronouns:
- 普段は早起きしないけど、今度は早起きするつもり。

Question 11

Could I make the contrast explicit with が or けど instead of stacking topics?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both are natural:
- 彼は普段は早起きしないが、今度は早起きするつもりだ。
- 普段は早起きしないけど、今度は早起きするつもりだ。
Using 彼も specifically adds the “even he/also he” nuance, which が/けど don’t.

Question 12

Can I use negative intent like 早起きしないつもりだ?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Vない＋つもりだ means “intend not to V.” For example:
- 明日は早起きしないつもりだ。 = “I plan not to get up early tomorrow.”

Question 13

Is 彼 natural in conversation?

Accepted Answer

In everyday speech, speakers often avoid 彼 for a specific person and use a name, a description, or drop it entirely. 彼 is fine in writing or when the referent is clear, but conversationally you might hear:
- Name + さん: 田中さんも…
- A demonstrative: あの人も…
- Or just omit: 普段は早起きしないけど、今度は…

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