〜んばかりに: as if about to is a JLPT N1 grammar point. Describes a state so extreme it looks about to happen. Structure: V-ない (sans ない) + んばかりに/んばかりの/んばかりだ ・ する → せんばかりに. This page explains the construction, gives Japanese examples with furigana readings, and links to related grammar points at this level.
〜んばかりに: as if about to
Structure
V-ない (sans ない) + んばかりに/んばかりの/んばかりだ ・ する → せんばかりに
Explanation
Attach んばかり to the nai-stem: 泣かんばかりに頼んだ “begged as if about to cry”. It dramatizes: the action doesn't actually happen, it just looks imminent. する becomes せんばかり. Written/literary register.
Examples
彼女は泣かんばかりの顔で謝った。
She apologized looking as if she were about to cry.
あふれんばかりの拍手が起こった。
There was overflowing applause.
Quiz preview
彼女は泣か＿＿＿＿＿の顔で謝った。
- んばかり ✓
- んがため
- んとする
- ぬばかり
泣かんばかりの顔 = a face as if about to cry (it doesn't actually happen).
会場には、あふれ＿＿＿＿＿＿の拍手が起こった。
- んばかり ✓
- がちほど
- っぱなし
- んがほど
あふれんばかりの拍手: applause on the verge of overflowing: dramatized extremity.