Tendency and state
～ばかりだ
only getting ...; keeps ...ing (in one direction)
AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)
How to form it
- Verb (dictionary form) + ばかりだ
Register: Neutral
Explanation
Says that a situation keeps changing in one direction without stopping. It often describes an undesirable trend.
Used with verbs of change. It stresses that the change goes on in one direction, often with no improvement.
Examples
病気は悪くなるばかりだ。
びょうきはわるくなるばかりだ。
The illness only gets worse.
最近、仕事が忙しくなるばかりだ。
さいきん、しごとがいそがしくなるばかりだ。
Lately, work just keeps getting busier.
状況は悪化するばかりで、改善の兆しはない。
じょうきょうはあっかするばかりで、かいぜんのきざしはない。
The situation just keeps getting worse, with no sign of improvement.
Compare with
- ～一方(で): 一方だ also expresses a one-way trend; ばかりだ stresses that things only get worse.
Common mistakes
- Using it with a verb that does not describe change.