GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜に端を発して
Indicates that a dispute or change began with a particular event and then spread more widely.
Examples
一通の投書に端を発して、公共交通の見直しが始まった。
Prompted by a single letter to the editor, a review of public transportation began.
Words used
小さな苦情に端を発して、制度の見直しが始まった。
A review of the system began with a minor complaint.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
に端を発してto an originating event to formally describe a discussion or change developing from it.端を発してis readたんをはっして. - Basic usage:
一通の投書に端を発して、公共交通の見直しが始まった。means that a single letter to the editor sparked a review of public transportation.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Linking clauses versus modifying a noun
投書に端を発して議論が広がったnames the origin and then says that the discussion spread. To modify a noun as in投書に端を発した議論, use発したrather than発して.