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Formation: V-dictionary + なり; (older usage) V-た + なり = ever since (with nothing after)

V-dictionary + なり means that right after one action, the same person immediately did something else, often something sudden or surprising, as in 帰るなり倒れ込んだ. It is used in narrative, mostly in the past tense, to describe other people's actions; it is not normally used for the speaker's own actions. The main clause cannot be a request, an order, an intention or a future plan. It is somewhat literary and common in novels and written accounts. Compare 〜や否や and 〜が早いか, which are more formal or written and allow different subjects. 〜たとたん（に） can describe the speaker and events no one controls, and 〜次第 allows requests and intentions in the main clause. The separate older form V-た + なり ('ever since, and no change') resembles 〜きり.

Variants: 〜たなり (since, and no change after)

Examples

• 父は家に帰るなり、ソファに倒れ込んだ。
  The moment my father got home, he collapsed onto the sofa.
• 彼女は私の顔を見るなり、泣き出した。
  As soon as she saw my face, she burst into tears.
• 部長は報告書を読むなり、顔色を変えた。
  The moment the manager read the report, his face changed.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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