Linking Actions with Te-Form

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

Tap any sentence to hear it read aloud.

Speed

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.

起(お)きて、顔(かお)を洗(あら)って、ご飯(はん)を食(た)べます。

I get up, wash my face and eat.

駅(えき)まで歩(ある)いて、電車(でんしゃ)に乗(の)りました。

I walked to the station and got on the train.

宿題(しゅくだい)をして、寝(ね)ました。

I did my homework and went to bed.

荷物(にもつ)が重(おも)くて持(も)てませんでした。

The bag was heavy, so I couldn't carry it.