At a glance
~次第 has two uses. After a verb's ます-stem it means "as soon as", usually in formal speech and writing. After a noun it means "depending on".
Verb (ます-stem) + 次第、[intention / request]
Noun + 次第 です / 次第 で
会議が終わり次第、連絡します。 I'll contact you as soon as the meeting is over.
How to form it
| Attaches to | Example | Meaning | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| う-verb (ます-stem) | 終わる → 終わり次第 | as soon as it ends | Formal |
| る-verb (ます-stem) | できる → でき次第 | as soon as it's ready | Formal |
| する | 連絡する → 連絡し次第 | as soon as I contact | Formal |
| 来る | 来る → 来次第 | as soon as (someone) comes | Formal |
| Noun | 天気 → 天気次第 | depending on the weather | Neutral |
The verb before 次第 stays in the ます-stem. It does not change for past or negative.