Alternative Inflection

Production Rules:

Notice that these forms are composed of the past indicative plus "-ri".

Inflection Examples:

Irregulars:

Usage Notes & Examples:

1. In the affirmative, this form, in general, expresses something which happens occasionally or habitually, and usually includes a sense that this is not all that is being done.
2. A usual usage is to string together an incomplete list of actions one does habitually as examples of the kinds of things one does. The final element is followed by a form of the verb する (suru), the inflection of which denotes the timeframe for all the actions.
   • If you ask your niece what she's doing during vacation she might say:
     テレビを見たり、本を読んだり、友達と遊んだりしています。
     terebi wo mitari, hon wo yondari, tomodachi to asondari shite imasu.
     I'm doing things like watching television, reading books, and playing with friends.
3. It is used often to list two actions which are done alternately.
   • みんなが忙しそうに行ったり来たりしている。
     minna ga isogashisou ni ittari kitari shite iru.
     Everyone was busily coming and going.
4. In the negative, the form talks about something one does usually, but points out that occasionally one does not do that thing.
   • 月曜日はアメフトを見なかったりすることもあるよ。
     getsuyoubi wa amefuto wo minakattari suru koto mo aru yo.
     [Although I usually do,] I don't always watch (American) football on Mondays.
5. Alternating the affirmative and negative form of the same verb indicates something the subject sometimes does and sometimes doesn't do.
   • 私の息子は気まぐれで朝ご飯を食べたり食べなかったりします。
     watashi no musuko wa kimagure de asagohan wo tabetari tabenakattari shimasu.
     My son eats breakfast or not, as the mood strikes him.
6. This form can also be used to express anxiety using an example of the kind of thing the speaker fears might go wrong.
   • 間違って、違うターミナルに行っちゃったりして…
     machigatte, chigau taaminaru ni icchattari shite...
     What if I make a mistake and end up doing something like going to the wrong terminal...

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