The dictionary form (plain/casual form) of verbs is used in far more situations than just casual speech. This guide covers every major use, so you stop guessing and start speaking confidently.
At a Glance: Where the Dictionary Form Appears
| Use | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Casual speech (sentence end) | V dict | 明日行く |
| Before nouns (relative clause) | V dict + noun | 食べる店 (restaurant that serves…) |
| Before particles/conjunctions | V dict + と/から/ので/が | 行くと思う |
| Before と思う | V dict + と思う | 来ると思う |
| Before こと/の (nominalization) | V dict + こと/の | 泳ぐことが好き |
| Before まえに | V dict + まえに | 寝る前に歯を磨く |
| Before ために | V dict + ために | 健康のために走る |
| Before はずだ | V dict + はずだ | 来るはずだ |
Before Nouns — Relative Clauses
The dictionary form can directly modify nouns (like an adjective):
日本語を話す人 — a person who speaks Japanese
毎朝飲むコーヒー — the coffee I drink every morning
Nominalization — Turning Verbs into “Things”
Add こと or の after the dictionary form to turn a verb into a noun concept:
泳ぐことが好きです。 — I like swimming. (こと = the act of swimming)
映画を見るのが楽しい。 — Watching movies is fun. (の = a more specific, felt experience)
YukaWhen do I use こと vs の for nominalization?
ReiGeneral rule: の for personal experience or emotions (聞くのが好き), こと for general facts or abilities (日本語を話すことができる). In practice they overlap a lot — both are acceptable in many contexts.
YukaAnd 前に — why does it use the dictionary form, not the past tense?
ReiGreat question! まえに uses the dictionary form even for past situations: 寝る前に歯を磨いた (I brushed my teeth before sleeping). The dictionary form signals the event hadn’t happened yet at that point — different from using past tense here.
Before はずだ — Expected to
Dictionary form + はずだ expresses confident expectation:
彼は来るはずだ。 — He is supposed to come. / I expect him to come.
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ますと思う | 〜ると思う | Always plain form before と思う |
| 〜た前に | 〜る前に | 前に always uses dictionary form, not past |
| 〜ますこと | 〜ること | Nominalization uses dictionary form |
Quick Quiz
Choose the correct form:
1. Before eating, wash your hands. → 食べ___前に手を洗う → 食べる前に
2. She thinks it will rain. → 雨が降___と思う → 降ると思う
3. Swimming is good for health. → 泳ぐ___が健康にいい → 泳ぐこと / 泳ぐの
Practice in the Comments!
Try writing your own sentence using today’s grammar in the comments! Leave your example and join the Top Commenters ranking!
Keep Learning: Grammar Hub | Plain vs Masu Form | て-Form Guide
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