N1 has five patterns for marking specific time points: をもって marks a start/end, をピークに marks a peak, を限りに marks "the last time," た拍子に marks "that exact instant," and ともなく marks "unconsciously."
をもって: As of… / By Means of…
「をもって」marks an important turning point in time or a means:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 今月をもって、課長に就任させてもらいます。 | As of this month, I will be taking the position of section chief. |
| 本日をもって、閉店とさせていただきます。 | As of today, we will be closing our doors. |
| 誠意をもって対応する。 | To respond with sincerity. |
Connection: Noun + をもって Three meanings: ① Time start/end ② Means/method ③ Reason
Key Points
- Very formal, written style
- Common in announcements, declarations, official contexts
- Similar to で but much more dignified
をピークに: Peaking At… (Then Declining)
「をピークに」expresses reaching a peak and then declining:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 株価は2月をピークに下がる一方だった。 | Stock prices peaked in February and have been declining since. |
| 人口は1990年をピークに減少し続けている。 | The population peaked in 1990 and has been declining since. |
| 売上は去年をピークに落ちている。 | Sales peaked last year and have been falling. |
Connection: Noun (time/quantity) + をピークに Almost always followed by declining trend expressions.
Key Points
- Very visual — rise then fall
- Followed by 下がる, 減少する, 落ちる, etc.
- Like "peaked at" in English
を限りに: As of… (The Last Time)
「を限りに」expresses a time point after which something will no longer continue — "this is the last":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| この試合を限りに、現役を引退させてもらいます。 | As of this match, I will be retiring from active play. |
| 今日を限りにタバコをやめる。 | As of today, I'm quitting smoking. |
| 今年度を限りに、この制度は廃止される。 | As of this fiscal year, this system will be abolished. |
Connection: Noun (time) + を限りに 限り = limit, boundary → up to this point and no further.
Key Points
- Expresses determination or formal announcement
- Followed by "stop doing," "end," "retire," etc.
- Common in retirement, quitting, and abolishment contexts
た拍子に: At the Very Instant of…
「た拍子に」expresses something unexpected happening at the exact moment of an action:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ボールを蹴った拍子に腰を痛めてしまった。 | At the instant of kicking the ball, I hurt my back. |
| くしゃみをした拍子に、コーヒーをこぼした。 | The instant I sneezed, I spilled my coffee. |
| 立ち上がった拍子に頭をぶつけた。 | The instant I stood up, I bumped my head. |
Connection: Verb た-form + 拍子に 拍子 = beat/rhythm → on that beat / at that moment.
Key Points
- The result is usually unexpected and undesirable
- The two actions happen nearly simultaneously
- Carries a nuance of "accidentally" or "by chance"
ともなく / ともなしに: Unconsciously / Without Realizing
「ともなく」expresses doing something without particular intention or awareness:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 彼の話を聞くともなく聞いていた。 | I was half-listening to his story without really meaning to. |
| ラジオから流れてきた曲を聞くともなしに聞いていた。 | I was unconsciously listening to the song playing on the radio. |
| どこからともなく、いい匂いがしてきた。 | A nice smell came from somewhere unknown. |
Connection: Verb dictionary form + ともなく / ともなしに Question word + ともなく = from who knows where/when
Key Points
- Expresses unconscious, unintentional action
- Often the same verb repeats (聞くともなく聞く)
- With question words: どこからともなく (from who knows where)
Comparison
| Pattern | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| をもって | As of (start/end) | Formal announcements |
| をピークに | Peaking at | Rise then fall |
| を限りに | As of (the last) | Final determination |
| た拍子に | At that instant | Unexpected accident |
| ともなく | Unconsciously | Unintentional action |
Summary
- 「をもって」= As of a specific time point (start/end/means)
- 「をピークに」= After reaching a peak, declining
- 「を限りに」= This is the last, no more after this
- 「た拍子に」= At the instant of doing something, an accident occurred
- 「ともなく」= Without realizing, unconsciously
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「株価は2月をピークに下がる一方だった。」
Show Answer
"Stock prices peaked in February and kept declining." をピークに = peaked at a certain point, then declined.
2. What determination does 「今日を限りにタバコをやめる」 express?
Show Answer
"As of today, I'm quitting smoking." を限りに = this is the last, no more after this point.
3. What state does 「聞くともなく聞いていた」 describe?
Show Answer
"Was half-listening without really meaning to" (unconscious action). ともなく = without intention or awareness.