Preview（腕試し）

Junko: You seem to watch a lot of comedies, Kaori. Do you like all comedies?

Kaori: Well, not all of them. It depends on the subject of the movie. How about you?

Junko: I like comedies, too, but I prefer comedies with a good story and good acting, so I guess it's case by case.

Kaori: Oh, you mean ____________________ .

A. It depends on the case.

B. It depends on the movie.

C. It's movie by movie.

Quick Glossary （用語辞典）

actor : 役者

exception : 例外

admission (to a university) : 入学

annoy : いらいらする

poetry : 詩

lawyer : 弁護士

Explanation （説明）

"Case by case" is English, but its usage is very limited. In Japanese, it is usually used to mean "it depends on (something)." In English, it's mostly used in business or official situations when referring to an actual case.

Exceptions to the university's admissions policy are made on a case-by-case basis.

Examples（例文）

I don't really like horror movies, but there are a few that I'll watch. I guess it depends on the movie.

Loud people usually annoy me; sometimes, however, I meet a person who is loud but also quite amusing. I guess whether I'm annoyed or not depends on the person.

Exercises （練習）

1. I like some bars, and others I don't; it really _________________________ .

A. depends on the drinking

B. depends on the bar

C. is case by case

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2. Daphne: What do you think of 18th century English poetry, Josephine?

...Josephine: Oh, I don't know. Some of it I like, and some of it I don't. I guess _________________________ .

A. it depends on the poet

B. it's a case of poetry

C. it depends on you

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3. A lawyer I know says that she usually doesn't take divorce cases but occasionally makes exceptions. She told me that _________________________ .

A. it depends on the case

B. she decides on a case-by-case basis

C. either A or B