At a glance
Verb (dictionary form) + ばかりだ means a change keeps moving in one direction, usually a bad one: "keeps getting ~", "just keeps ~ing". It is common with change verbs such as 増える, 減る and ～くなる.
Verb (dictionary form) + ばかりだ
状況は悪くなるばかりだ。 The situation just keeps getting worse.
How to form it
ばかりだ attaches to a verb in dictionary form. Adjectives need なる to show change.
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | dictionary form + ばかりだ | 増える → 増えるばかりだ |
| い-adjective | ～く + なるばかりだ | 寒い → 寒くなるばかりだ |
| な-adjective | ～に + なるばかりだ | 不便 → 不便になるばかりだ |
| Form | Casual | Polite |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 増えるばかりだ | 増えるばかりです |
| Past | 増えるばかりだった | 増えるばかりでした |
| Mid-sentence | 増えるばかりで、… | 増えるばかりで、… |