〜てばかりいる
JLPT N3:do nothing but
Criticises someone for doing the same thing all the time: "do nothing but…", "always…".
How to form it
- Put the verb in the て-form and add ばかりいる: 見てばかりいる.
- ばかり can also follow the object instead: テレビばかり見ている puts the stress on what is being watched.
- For the past, use てばかりいた.
Examples
弟はテレビを見てばかりいる。
My brother does nothing but watch TV.
泣いてばかりいないで、頑張れ。
Stop crying all the time and get on with it.
Common mistakes
- Confusing it with 〜たばかり (have just done).
Similar meaning
- 〜ばかりnothing but
ばかり after a noun: "nothing but" that thing.
Same form, different meaning
- 〜ばかりだjust keeps getting…
ばかりだ after the dictionary form: "just keeps getting…".