毎日ニュースを読むようにしています。
- I make it a habit to read the news every day.

毎日ニュースを読むようにしています。 meaning: I make it a habit to read the news every day.

The sentence follows a subject-object-verb order, though the subject is often implied in Japanese. ⚫︎ The core structure is: Time word + Object + Verb + Auxiliary Verb. ⚫︎ 毎日 (mainichi) - "every day" (time word) ⚫︎ ニュース (nyūsu) - "news" (object) ⚫︎ 読む (yomu) - "to read" (verb - dictionary form) ⚫︎ ようにしています (yō ni shiteimasu) - "I make it a habit to..." (auxiliary verb, fixed expression)

This is a key N3 grammar point. ⚫︎ It expresses the idea of "making an effort to do something," "trying to do something," or "making a habit of something." ⚫︎ The verb before ようにする is always in its dictionary form or potential form. ⚫︎ The basic structure is: Verb (dictionary form) + ようにする ⚫︎ The meaning often implies that the action is not necessarily fully achieved but is an ongoing effort or intention. ⚫︎ The te-form of する can be used しています, to show a present habit or ongoing action. ⚫︎ Example: ⚫︎ 健康のために、野菜を食べるようにしています。 - I make it a habit to eat vegetables for my health. ⚫︎ 日本語を勉強するようにします。 - I will make an effort to study Japanese.

The particle に has multiple functions. ⚫︎ In this sentence, に is part of the expression ように (yō ni) which functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb. ⚫︎ に in this context, adds nuance to ように. ⚫︎ ように functions as an adverbial phrase and modifies the verb しています. ⚫︎ Other functions of に (relevant for N3 level): ⚫︎ Indicates the indirect object of a verb (e.g., 友達に手紙を書きました。 - I wrote a letter to my friend.) ⚫︎ Indicates the time of an action (e.g., 夜に勉強します。 - I study at night.) ⚫︎ Indicates the purpose of an action (e.g., 買い物に行きます。 - I go shopping.)

Understanding verb conjugations is essential. ⚫︎ 読む (yomu) is a Godan verb (also known as Group 1 verb). ⚫︎ The dictionary form of Godan verbs ends in -u. ⚫︎ The -ます form is a polite form. ⚫︎ 読みます (yomimasu) - "will read/read" (polite form) ⚫︎ To form the dictionary form (used before ようにする), you simply use the dictionary form of the verb. ⚫︎ To form the "te" form of the verb, you must change the ending appropriately depending on the verb group. ⚫︎ For Godan verbs (e.g., 読む), change the final -mu to -nde. (読んで)

The auxiliary verb います (imasu) helps to create the form that shows an ongoing action or state. ⚫︎ います is the present progressive or perfective of いる (iru), which means "to be" or "to exist." ⚫︎ The -て form of the verb preceding います combined with it, creates the -て form. ⚫︎ In this sentence, the -ています form, しています (shiteimasu), shows that the action of "making it a habit" is ongoing. ⚫︎ The structure is: Verb (te-form) + います ⚫︎ Example: 食べています (tabeteimasu) - "I am eating/I have been eating"