N1 — Purpose & strong intent

How to show a deliberate goal or a strongly signaled intention in formal written style.

How to choose by scene

Lofty goal / very strong intent
Use 〜んがため(に) in formal writing when the purpose is weighty or ambitious.
Form & mini-example
V(未然形) + んがため(に)/…んがための + N
する → せん
例:優勝ゆうしょうせんがため、かれ毎日まいにちきびしい練習れんしゅうつづけた。
Neutral formal purpose (written)
Use 〜べく for “in order to” in reports, notices, policies.
Form & mini-example
V-dictionary + べく (する → すべく
例:事故じこふせぐべく、標識ひょうしき見直みなおした。
Show intent by action
Use 〜とばかりに (or 〜と言わんばかりに) to describe someone acting “as if to say…”.
Form & mini-example
Phrase + とばかりに / と言わんばかりに
例:かれは「まかせろ」 とばかりに、まえた。

1) 〜んがため(に) — “in order to” with strong/lofty intent

Very formal/literary. Used when the goal is weighty or the writer wants a serious tone. Often appears in public statements, news editorials, or biographies.

  • Form: V(未然形; i.e., ない-stem) + んがため(に)/…んがための + N ※ する → せん
  • Register: formal, written; not for casual daily purposes.
  • Cannot use for natural/uncontrollable phenomena or trivial goals.
  1. きんがため、彼女かのじょ過酷かこく環境かんきょうでもたたかつづけた。
    She kept fighting, in order to survive, even in harsh conditions.
  2. 優勝ゆうしょうせんがため、かれ睡眠すいみんをもけずった。
    He cut his sleep to win the championship.
  3. 環境かんきょうまもらんがための規制きせい強化きょうかされた。
    Regulations to protect the environment were tightened.
Avoid (too heavy for daily actions): × 切符きっぷわんがためにえきった。 → Use neutral ために / instead.

2) 〜べく — formal “in order to / so as to”

  • Form: V-dictionary + べくする → すべく
  • Register: formal written style (policies, reports, notices).
  • Note: Usually for actions under human control; everyday errands may sound stiff.
  1. 事故じこふせぐべく、標識ひょうしき配置はいち見直みなおした。
    We reviewed the signage to prevent accidents.
  2. 品質ひんしつたかめるべく、現場げんば視察しさつ強化きょうかした。
    We stepped up on-site inspections to improve quality.
  3. 情報じょうほう共有きょうゆうすべく、社内しゃないWikiを整備せいびした。
    We organized the internal wiki to share information.
Too stiff for simple errands: × 牛乳ぎゅうにゅううべくコンビニへ。 → Use neutral ために/に.

3) 〜とばかりに / 〜と言わんばかりに — “as if to say…”

Describes how someone else acts in a way that strongly signals intention, attitude, or message—without saying it outright. Often pairs with a quoted phrase.

  • Form: Phrase + とばかりにと言わんばかりに
  • Use for others, not for your own inner state.
  1. かれは「まかせろ」とばかりにまえ一歩いっぽした。
    He stepped forward as if to say “Leave it to me.”
  2. 子供こどもいまと言わんばかりにそとした。
    The child dashed outside, as if to say “Now’s my chance!”
  3. となり部署ぶしょけるものかとばかりに黙々もくもく作業さぎょうつづけた。
    The neighboring team kept working, as if declaring “We won’t lose.”
Not for your own state: × “I did it とばかりに” to report your own intention sounds odd. Describe others.

Quick contrasts & tips

  • Weight & tone: んがため (heaviest/lofty) > べく (formal neutral) > everyday ために/に (casual/neutral).
  • Signal vs purpose: とばかりに = show intent by action; not a purpose linker.
  • Nearby tools (N2): strong will via Vてでも “even if I must …”; extreme means Nまでして. Use when stressing sacrifice rather than formality.