modality N1 uncommon written
〜ものとして — on the assumption that ~ / treating as ~
〜ものとして ・ ものとして
Builds on もの
Meaning
- on the assumption that ~ / treating ~ as the case / as if ~ — proceeds as though something were true, for the sake of what follows
The て-form ものとして sets up a supposition and then acts on it: 'taking X as given, …'. 彼は来ないものとして、計画を立てよう ('let's make the plan on the assumption that he won't come'). The point isn't whether X is actually true — it's that the following action treats it as true. Common in planning, hypotheticals, and 'suppose that ~' set-ups.
Key sentence
全員が参加するものとして、準備を進めます。
We'll proceed with preparations on the assumption that everyone will take part.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb / adjective (plain); Noun + である | V/A(plain) + ものとして | 知らない → 知らないものとして |
When: Planning, hypothetical reasoning, instructions — adopts a premise so the rest can be worked out on top of it.
Examples
この点は合意済みのものとして、次の議題に移ります。
Treating this point as already agreed, let's move to the next item.
失敗したものとして、次の手を考えておく。
Assuming it fails, I'll think through the next move in advance.
Easily confused with
〜ものとする ものとする *stipulates* a rule ('X shall be the case'); ものとして *supposes* X for the sake of the next action ('treating X as the case, we …') — a working premise, not a decree. 〜として Plain として = 'as / in the role of' (a real status, 医者として); ものとして adds the もの of supposition — 'as if it were the case', a premise adopted rather than a real role.
Notes
- Often opens a hypothetical: 仮に〜ものとして ('supposing, for argument's sake, that ~').
See 〜ものとして in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜ものとして the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.