Meaning
This pattern describes a situation or state that continues to develop and intensify progressively, with a sense of 'more and more' or 'increasingly.' It can be used for both positive and negative developments. The pattern uses the dictionary form of a verb and implies continuous change in one direction.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 动词辞书形 | 一方だ |
Examples
-
政府は経済の発展に集中していたので、環境問題を放置し、近年、空気や川の汚染がひどくなる一方だ。
Because the government focused on economic development, it neglected environmental issues, and in recent years, air and river pollution has been getting progressively worse. -
これからますますインターネットを使う人口が増える一方だろう。
Going forward, the population of internet users will likely continue to increase more and more. -
自分の店を開いてから、忙しくなる一方だ。
Since opening my own shop, I've been getting busier and busier.
Summary
- Formed with: verb (dictionary form) + 一方だ
- Expresses continuous intensification or progression in one direction—either positive or negative situations
- Similar in meaning to ばかりだ; both express the sense of 'increasingly' but have subtle usage differences