On the Meaning and Function of “～tai monoda” at the End of Essays

KANEKO Hiroko

This paper examines opinion essays that include the ending phrase “～tai monoda.” Up until now, “～tai monoda” has been thought of as a form related to the sentence ending phrase “～monoda,” however, the attention herein has been given to the “tai” portion of the expression, looking closely at the verbs that appear in the “tai” form in actual examples of “～tai monoda” phrases in Asahi Shimbun found editorial pieces and letters to the editor in the “koe” column. Depending upon certain conditions, such as the subject of the sentence, etc., a conjecture was also made here that when the “tai” form is indicating a value judgment, “～tai monoda” serves the same function as the volition form “～shiyou. ”

As the actual number of language samples was relatively small, it is not possible to offer absolute proof for the above supposition, but when one wants to end an opinion essay with a final proposition, it can be said that “～tai monoda” is an appropriate choice of final structure. Along with“～tai monoda,” a further examination of common “ending” expressions such as “～te hoshii monoda ” and “～koto o wasurete wa naranai,” will be undertaken in order to prepare basic materials to teach learners “ending” expressions that best suit the intention they wish to convey in their writing.