JLPT N1 grammar
〜をもって — Meaning & Examples
Formal "by means of X" (実力をもって示す) or "as of X" as a time cutoff (本日をもって閉店いたします). Written/ceremonial register.
〜をもって — "By Means Of X" / "As Of X"
をもって is a formal written particle with TWO common uses.
Use 1 — method/means ("by means of, using"):
実力をもって示す。
= Show it through real ability.
書面をもってお知らせいたします。
= We will notify you by written document.
Use 2 — a formal time cutoff ("as of / at the point of"):
本日をもちまして、当店は閉店いたします。
= As of today, this shop will close.
（note the polite conjunctive form もちまして in announcements）
30日をもって契約は終了する。
= The contract ends as of the 30th.
Register: Formal written/spoken announcements — ceremonies, business letters, official notices. You'll rarely hear it in casual chat.
Key feeling: A stamp of officialdom — either "by this exact means" or "at this exact moment, effective now."
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜をもって. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「本日をもちまして、当店は閉店いたします。」 uses をもって for which use?
- A method of transportation
- A formal time cutoff ("as of")
- A comparison
- A question
Show answer
Answer: A formal time cutoff ("as of")
をもって can mark a formal time cutoff: "as of today, this shop will close." The other use is method/means (実力をもって示す).
2. 「30日をもって契約は終了する。」 means?
- The contract never ends
- The contract started on the 30th
- The contract is being discussed on the 30th
- The contract ends as of the 30th
Show answer
Answer: The contract ends as of the 30th
をもって as a time cutoff = "as of / effective at" — the contract's end takes effect exactly on the 30th.
Practise 〜をもって in the free app
This point is part of the “Basis, Boundaries & Turning Points — を皮切りに・をもって・を境に・いかんによって” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Basis, Boundaries & Turning Points — を皮切りに・をもって・を境に・いかんによって
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜をもって mean?
Formal "by means of X" (実力をもって示す) or "as of X" as a time cutoff (本日をもって閉店いたします). Written/ceremonial register.
Is 〜をもって on the JLPT N1 test?
〜をもって is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Basis, Boundaries & Turning Points — を皮切りに・をもって・を境に・いかんによって”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜をもって?
Open the “Basis, Boundaries & Turning Points — を皮切りに・をもって・を境に・いかんによって” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.