Linking Actions with Te-Form | ～て

Linking Actions with the Te-Form

Use the te-form to chain actions together: "I did A, then B, then C." Only the last verb needs tense, the rest stay in te-form. Our lesson on conjunctions covers this alongside other connecting patterns.

Sequential Actions

List events in order. Only the last verb gets conjugated for tense:

• テニスをして、映画(えいが)を**見(み)て**、日本酒(にほんしゅ)を飲(の)んだ。
  I played tennis, watched a movie, then drank sake. (past)

• テニスをして、映画(えいが)を**見(み)て**、日本酒(にほんしゅ)を飲(の)む。
  I'll play tennis, watch a movie, then drink sake. (future)

"By Doing A" (Means/Method)

Te-form can also show how you do something, not just the sequence:

電車(でんしゃ)に乗(の)って、会社(かいしゃ)に行(い)きます。
I take the train to work. (lit. "riding the train, I go to work")

Te-Form vs たり

• て-form: implies a complete list in order
• たり: implies examples from a longer list, no particular order

Example Sentences

朝(あさ)ごはんを食(た)べて、学校(がっこう)に行(い)きます。
I eat breakfast and go to school.

カラオケに行(い)って、ストレス発散(はっさん)しよう。
Let's go to karaoke to blow off steam.

笑(わら)って、泣(な)いて、感動(かんどう)した映画(えいが)。
A movie that makes you laugh, cry, and feel moved.

手(て)を洗(あら)って食(た)べてください。
Please wash your hands and then eat.