Lessons sometimes do not actually show how (A) and (B) are used syntactically

Bunpro
#1

In general, I like the way the lessons often use (A) and (B) as placeholders for a grammatical construct. But the syntax isn’t always explained up front. For example, a “good” lesson is pictured below. Notice that the Structure section clearly identifies where (A) and (B) belong. And then in About section, any references to (A) and (B) are unambiguous.

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And now, a “bad” lesson shown below. Maybe I’m missing something very obvious, but I was confused after this lesson. The About section references (A) and (B), but it’s not clear where those things fit in the structure. I can kind of guess, using the examples. And maybe I’m supposed to. But if that is the case, then calling these things (A) and (B) seems unnecessary and adds to the confusion. The sentences in the About section would read more clearly in this case simply saying something like “Using one thing as an example to highlight the way another thing is acting”.

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And as a much less important sidenote, I found the rapid introduction of たとえ, 推定, and 例示 confusing as well. Am I supposed to remember those words and concepts?

9 Likes
#2

Just thought I would let you know this is on our to do list. We will be fixing all the A…B references to actually give an example and specifically say what is A and what is B.

3 Likes
#3

ありがとう :pray:

1 Like
#4

Hi there, and thanks for expressing your concerns.

We actually have both of these things in the pipeline to fix already. Those two things being the structure and the use of (A) and (B). Even in the ‘good’ example you gave, it is not quite as good as we would like it to be, and will be changing everything that uses that terminology to something like the following:

  • Introduction of (A) and (B) in relation to that grammar point.
  • Real example of (A) and (B).
  • Any special rules.

Let’s say the grammar point was から, the new style would be:

  • (A) will highlight the cause, while (B) will then show the result.
  • ‘Because (A) it’s cold, I wore (B) a jacket.’
  • (A) will always show the cause, but depending on the overall tense of the sentence, (B) can either be a planned action, a result, or an observation.

We should be able to do this format for pretty much every grammar point that uses (A) (B).

As for the Japanese words you mentioned. We tend to favor using those words as they are the words that Japanese itself uses to describe certain grammar points. This means that learning those words or meanings can often give you a little bit of a hint about the nuance that can be hard to convey in English.

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