～てTe-form for action sequences
The te-form connects actions in one sentence, usually presenting them in their natural order. Only the final verb shows the sentence's tense and politeness.
A natural sequence
私は毎朝、六時に起きて、顔を洗って、朝ご飯を食べます。
Every morning, I get up at six, wash my face, and eat breakfast.
AnalyzeThe actions follow their expected order, and the polite ending appears only on the final verb.
How the chain works
Change every nonfinal action into its te-form. The listener normally understands the actions as a connected sequence, especially when their real-world order is obvious. The te-form itself does not carry past or nonpast tense; the final verb controls the whole sentence.
Making the te-form
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Dictionary ending | Te-form ending | Example |
|---|---|---|
| う / つ / る | って | 買う → 買って |
| む / ぶ / ぬ | んで | 読む → 読んで |
| く | いて | 書く → 書いて |
| ぐ | いで | 泳ぐ → 泳いで |
| す | して | 話す → 話して |
| Group 2 final る | て | 食べる → 食べて |
One important exception is 行く → 行って.
The final verb controls tense and style
The same te-form can lead into a polite nonpast verb or a polite past verb.
Simple sequence or explicit completion?
A simple te-form naturally connects actions, but their exact relationship still depends on context. Use てから when you specifically want to emphasize that the first action is completed before the second begins.
Actions versus descriptions
This page uses the te-form to connect successive actions. When similar-looking forms connect qualities or states that are true together, they belong to the separate state-linking pattern.
More examples
母はスーパーへ行って、野菜を買いました。
My mother went to the supermarket and bought vegetables.
Analyze私はドアを開けて、部屋に入りました。
I opened the door and entered the room.
Analyzeこの紙に名前を書いて、箱に入れてください。
Please write your name on this paper and put it in the box.
Analyze私は家に帰って、宿題をして、寝ました。
I went home, did my homework, and went to bed.
Analyze私は日曜日に音楽を聞いて、本を読みます。
On Sundays, I listen to music and read books.
Analyze私は窓を閉めて、電気を消した。
I closed the window and turned off the light.
Analyze