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Formation: V-dictionary + べく; する→するべく／すべく; V-dictionary + べくして + V-ta (bound to happen)

べく states the purpose behind a deliberate action: "in order to X, (someone) did Y". It is formal and written, typical of news reports, business documents and speeches. Its natural everyday equivalent is ために. X must be something the subject intends, and the main clause is normally an action by that same subject. The main clause cannot be a request, command or invitation, so ×合格するべく手伝ってください is wrong. The related set form 〜べくして〜た means "was bound to happen, as it was expected to" (起こるべくして起こった). Don't confuse べく with 〜べからず, the prohibition built on the same classical べし.

Variants: すべく、べくして

Examples

• 新事業を立ち上げるべく、資金集めに奔走している。
  He is busy raising funds in order to launch a new business.
• 被災地を支援すべく、多くのボランティアが集まった。
  Many volunteers gathered to support the disaster area.
• あの事故は起こるべくして起こったと言える。
  You could say that accident was bound to happen.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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