Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 11/21

だけのことはあるNo wonder, Not surprising that, As expected

Do not use with negative results!

Structure

Verb + だけのことはある
［い］Adjective + だけのことはある
Noun +（だった）+ だけのことはある
［な］Adjective + な(1) + だけのことはある

(1) だった

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About だけのことはある

だけのことはある is a grammar structure consisting of the particle だけ, の, こと, は, and the う-Verb ある. It is used when indicating that something about (A) is 'as expected', or 'not surprising'. As a literal translation, it can be thought that the meaning is close to 'just in that it is (A), (B)', and expresses that simply because (A) is (A), (B) is to be expected.

だけのことはある will often appear with other words that add emphasis to the expectation of (A), such as さすが, やはり, or やっぱり.

This grammar pattern may be seen following verbs, い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives or nouns. な will be required after な-Adjectives.

In the case of nouns and な-Adjectives, it is also possible to see だっただけのことはある when highlighting that some particular result is not surprising.

Caution

だけのことはある is not used to indicate negative expectations, so will only appear when the overall sentence is a positive evaluation of what was expected of (A).

  • 娘(むすめ)は試験(しけん)に合格(ごうかく)できなかった。馬鹿(ばか)なだけのことはある。
    As expected from an idiot, my daughter failed the exam. (Unnatural Japanese)

Examples

--:--

    かなりの実力(じつりょく)だ。誘(さそ)いを蹴(け)っただけのことはある。

    (He) is quite competent. As expected from refusing temptation.

    すごいことを思(おも)いついた。苦心(くしん)しただけのことはある。

    I hit upon something great. As expected from the hard work I did.

    仕上(しあ)がりが完璧(かんぺき)だ。彼(かれ)にお願(ねが)いしただけのことはある。

    The finished product is perfect. As expected having made the request to him.

    利益(りえき)が上(あ)がってきた。経費(けいひ)を削(けず)っただけのことはある。

    Profits have begun to rise. As expected from cutting down on expenses.

    いい芝居(しばい)だった。一生懸命(いっしょうけんめい)稽古(けいこ)しただけのことはある。

    It was a good play. As expected from the practicing with all of one's heart.

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      だけのことはある – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

      • wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

        wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

        imabi.net provides an addtiional translation for this on the こと Expressions page (under the ～だけ（のこと）heading): “it is worth (it to),” or, “it was worth it.” I actually stubbed my toe on a question where 甲斐がある was expected and I answered だけのことはある because of having previously studied this point on imabi.net.

        What I’m wondering if whether that’s an incorrect translation of だけのことはある?

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV !

        That translation doesn’t seem to be wrong, but I wouldn’t say ‘it is worth (it to)’ is another translation for it. It is more of the nuance it has on top of the translation ‘As expected’.

        For example, 公表した甲斐がある。続々問い合わせがある。, would translate as ‘It was worth making an official announcement, inquiries have come one after another.’ However, 公表しただけのことはある。続々問い合わせがある。translates as ’ As expected from making an official announcement, inquiries have come one after another’ with the nuance of ’ As expected, it was worth making an official announcement, inquiries have come one after another.’

        We hope that answers your question!

      • dokidokiwakuwaku

        dokidokiwakuwaku

        What is the difference in usage between this point and だけあって? Is it only that だけあって links two clauses and だけのことはある can end a sentence? Thanks!

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