This means a situation is always changing in one direction. It usually describes a bad change.
Verb [dictionary form] + ばかりだPrimary
This means a situation is always changing in one direction. It usually describes a bad change.
最近の円安で、輸入品の値段は上がるばかりだ。
Due to the recent weak yen, the prices of imported goods just keep going up.
手術後、祖父の体力は衰えるばかりで、家族は心配している。
After the surgery, my grandfather's physical strength is only declining, and the family is worried.
あの事故以来、彼の記憶は薄れていくばかりだった。
Since that accident, his memory was just fading away.
状況は悪化するばかりだ。我々はすぐに行動しなければならない。
The situation is only getting worse. We must act immediately.
一度噂が広まると、人々の疑惑は深まるばかりで、収拾がつかなくなる。
Once a rumor spreads, people's suspicions only deepen, and it becomes impossible to control the situation.
This grammar shows a bad change is the ONLY thing happening. It feels like things are going downhill, and you can't stop it.
This is different from "〜一方だ" (ippou-da). "〜一方だ" can be good or bad. For example, "popularity is increasing." But "〜ばかりだ" is almost always bad. It is also different from "〜ていく" (te-iku). "〜ていく" just shows time passing. "〜ばかりだ" shows that a bad change cannot be stopped.
Don't use this when things are getting better. For example, don't say "良くなるばかりだ". This sounds strange. This pattern is for verbs that show change. It is almost always for bad changes. It means something is only getting worse. You cannot make this pattern negative. It does not mean a trend is not happening.
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