JLPT N1 Grammar

〜を限りに (wo kagiri ni)

〜を限りに (wo kagiri ni)

“as of; starting from; until; ending with”

This expression is used to announce the end of a continued state or action at a specific point in time. In a professional context, it is frequently used to mark significant transitions, such as the termination of a project, a resignation, or the closing of a business department.

  • Formality: Formal. It is primarily used in official announcements, speeches, and formal writing.
  • Context: Business (retirement, contract termination, end of a fiscal year), public notices, or resolute personal declarations.
  • Nuance: It carries a strong sense of finality and determination. Unlike simple time markers, it emphasizes that "this is the absolute last moment" for a particular state of affairs.

Format

To use 〜を限りに, attach it directly to the end of a time-based noun or a nominalized verb to indicate a final cutoff point.

  • [Noun (Time)] + を限りに
    今日を限りに、タバコをやめる。 I will quit smoking starting today.
  • [Noun (Limit-related)] + を限りに
    声を限りに、助けを求めた。 I shouted for help with all my might.
  • [Verb (Plain Form)] + のを限りに
    予算が底をつくのを限りに、プロジェクトは終了する。The project will end once the budget runs out.

Example sentences

  • 、。
    We have decided to withdraw from unprofitable sectors as of the end of this fiscal year.
  • 、、。
    Ending with this contract renewal, we will terminate outsourcing and move toward in-house production.
  • 、。
    I heard he is leaving the company he served for many years as of the end of this month to start his own business.
  • 、。
    We will discontinue the sale of this model once the current stock runs out.
  • 、、。
    As of today, I will cast aside my complacent thinking and focus on restructuring the project.

Similar Grammar

〜をもって (wo motte)

“As of; By means of”
本日の営業は、午後6時をもって終了します。 Today's business will end at 6:00 PM.

Difference:

  • Very common in business for official dates.
  • It is more versatile than 〜を限りに as it also indicates the means or method of an action.

〜を最後に (wo saigo ni)

“Lastly; For the last time”
彼はその言葉を最後に、部屋を出て行った。 He left the room after saying those final words.

Difference:

  • More neutral and used for common daily events.
  • It lacks the formal, resolute "announcement" nuance found in 〜を限りに.

〜きり (kiri)

“Since... (and not again)”
彼女に会ったのは、去年の夏が最後きりだ。 The last time I saw her was last summer.

Difference:

  • Focuses on a state that started at a point and hasn't changed, whereas 〜を限りに is about the specific point of termination.

〜限り (kagiri)

“As long as; Unless”
命ある限り、君を守り続ける。 As long as I live, I will continue to protect you.

Difference:

  • Indicates a duration where a condition is met (e.g., 日本にいる限り - As long as I am in Japan), whereas 〜を限りに indicates the end of a duration.

〜をおいて (wo oite)

“Other than; Aside from”
彼をおいて、この仕事を任せられる人はいない。 There is no one besides him who can be entrusted with this job.

Difference:

  • Used to say "There is no one/nothing else but this" (e.g., 彼をおいて他にいない). It is a limiter of options, not a limiter of time.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. このホテルも、（　　　）をすることになった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. による的は、のによれば10（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. は（　　　）に、を。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. のでは、のはの（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. （　　　）、をことに。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. のなにのは、としてのを（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. のには、10（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. は（　　　）にを。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. のは、の（　　　）をするとした。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. のなど、のの（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. の（　　　）、このでは的なが。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. のがをのは、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. 18（　　　）、のをいただきます。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. のは、1で1000（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. の（　　　）、は。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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