～たきり・・・（ない）

Today’s Grammar Point:  ～たきり・・・（ない）

Today’s grammar point is ～たきり・・・（ない）, which means that after the action of the たform verb is completed，the condition described in the second half of the sentence is continuing. So the latter half of the sentence has to be describing an ongoing condition or has a negative ending indicating “have never… since ～.” In conversations, sometimes people pronounce it with a small っ between ～た and きり (so ～たっきり…) to emphasise ～ was the last of it.

Connections

• [たform verb] + きり…（ない）
  たform verb = past plain form verb

Examples

去年きょねん日本にほんに行いったきり、ジョンさんから連絡れんらくがない。(Today’s caption)
Since he want to Japan last year, I haven’t heard from John.

今朝けさコーヒーを一杯いっぱい飲のんだきり、何なにも食たべる暇ひまがなかった。
Since having a cup of coffee this morning, I haven’t had a chance to eat anything.

先週せんしゅう電話でんわで話はなしたっきり、母ははとは 話はなしていない。
Since we spoke on the phone last week, I haven’t talked to my mother.

あの作家さっかはデビュー作さくを書かいたきり、 何なにも書かいていない。
That writer hasn’t written anything since he wrote his debut work.

父ちちは三年前さんねんまえに倒たおれたきり、意識不明いしきふめいのままです。
My father collapsed three years ago and remains unconscious.

昨日きのうその話はなしを聞きいたっきり、そのことで頭あたまがいっぱいだ。
Since I heard about it yesterday, I can’t think of anything else.

あの本ほんはジョンさんに貸かしたきり、返かえしてもらっていない。
I lent that book to John and I haven’t gotten it back.

運転免許うんてんめんきょを取とったきり、一度いちども車くるまを運転うんてんしたことがない。
I have never driven a car after getting a driver’s license.

去年きょねんのパーティーで着きたきり、この着物きものを着きていない。
I’ve never worn this kimono since I wore it at last year’s party.

Variations

あれっきり: since then, since that time
あれっきりあの人とは会あっていない。
That was the last time I saw him.

それっきり: since then
それっきり何なんの消息しょうそくもない。
There’s been no news of him since (then).

Answer to Today’s Question: a

a. I haven’t heard from John.
b. I had a fight with John.
c. I met up with John.
d. John rang me.

b. to d. are all one off action, so only a. can be used here.

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