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
※ する → せん
例:優勝せんがため、彼は毎日厳しい練習を続けた。
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:事故を防ぐべく、標識を見直した。
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:彼は「任せろ」 とばかりに、前へ出た。
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.
-
生きんがため、彼女は過酷な環境でも戦い続けた。
She kept fighting, in order to survive, even in harsh conditions. -
優勝せんがため、彼は睡眠をも削った。
He cut his sleep to win the championship. -
環境を守らんがための規制が強化された。
Regulations to protect the environment were tightened.
Avoid (too heavy for daily actions): ×
切符を買わんがために駅へ行った。
→ Use neutral ために / 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.
-
事故を防ぐべく、標識の配置を見直した。
We reviewed the signage to prevent accidents. -
品質を高めるべく、現場の視察を強化した。
We stepped up on-site inspections to improve quality. -
情報を共有すべく、社内Wikiを整備した。
We organized the internal wiki to share information.
Too stiff for simple errands: ×
牛乳を買うべくコンビニへ。
→ 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.
-
彼は「任せろ」とばかりに、前へ一歩踏み出した。
He stepped forward as if to say “Leave it to me.” -
子供は今だと言わんばかりに、外へ飛び出した。
The child dashed outside, as if to say “Now’s my chance!” -
隣の部署は負けるものかとばかりに、黙々と作業を続けた。
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.