日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

~をもって

~ o motte

by means of; as of (formal)

When to use it

Use ~をもって in formal writing and announcements to mark either the means by which something is done (「書面をもって通知する」) or the point in time at which a state takes effect or ends (「本日をもって」). It is a stiff, documentary register — at home in official notices, contracts, ceremonies and formal email, but odd in casual speech, where で or から/まで do the same job. The time usage almost always attaches to endings, deadlines and effective dates.

Formation

  • Noun + をもって — the only productive pattern: 書面をもって, 誠意をもって, 本日をもって, 3月31日をもって
  • Verbs / i-adjectives / na-adjectives: does not attach. Nominalize first (これをもって, 以上をもって)
  • Polite variant: をもちまして — used in speeches and customer-facing notices (「以上をもちまして…」)
  • Time usage takes a specific date or 本日・今期末 etc.; means usage takes an instrument or attitude noun (書面・電話・全力・誠意)
  • Distinguish from ~にもって (nonexistent) and ~とともに (accompaniment, not means)

Examples

  • We will inform you of the selection results in writing.

  • This contract will terminate as of March 31.

  • With that, we will conclude today's meeting.

  • We intend to enter negotiations in good faith.

  • As of today, I have taken up the post of Osaka branch manager.