Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 1
〜ないようにしています~nai you ni shite imasu
mindful effort to avoid
Use 「〜ないようにしています」 to describe a mindful effort to avoid an action in daily life.
How it works
Look at the picture: each night, he reminds himself to try not to eat late at night.
You keep making a conscious effort in daily life to avoid an action or a state.
Add 「ようにしています」 after the verb’s ない form: 食べない＋ようにしています.
The focus is on staying mindful and trying to avoid it; this does not guarantee that it has never happened.
In the example, 「飲みすぎない」 means avoiding drinking too much. Notice what is being negated.
So this sentence does not necessarily mean avoiding cold drinks entirely; it may simply mean limiting how much you drink.
Example sentences
- 夜yoru遅くosokuにni食べないようにしtabenaiyounishiてteいます。imasu。
I try not to eat late at night.
- 冷たいtsumetai物
In a conversation
- A最近、少し太ってしまって困っています。
A: Lately, I've gained a bit of weight and I'm troubled by it.
- Bそれなら、間食で甘い
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
For my health, I try not to eat too many sweets as snacks.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
夜遅くに____。
I try not to eat late at night.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜ないようにしていますmindful effort to avoid