N2#grammar#n2#change#formal

Complex Sentences Lesson 1

Master the N2 grammar points 〜につれて and 〜に伴って, used to describe proportional changes and simultaneous occurrences in formal contexts.

Context

Observing Change

In professional or academic settings, you often need to describe how one phenomenon changes as a direct result of another. For example, you might discuss how a city's infrastructure evolves as its population grows, or how a company's policies shift as the market changes.

These situations require more than simple 'and' or 'because' connectors. You need a way to express a proportional relationship or a simultaneous shift. Today, we look at two structures that allow you to link these changing states with precision.

Explanation

The Grammar of Change

The patterns 〜につれて and 〜に伴って are used to show that as one thing changes, another changes along with it.

Noun/Verbにつれてに伴って

〜につれて (ni tsurete) implies that as one thing progresses, another changes proportionally. It is often used with verbs that indicate change, like 増える (increase) or 進む (advance). 〜に伴って (ni tomonatte) is more formal and implies that a change in one thing is a direct consequence or accompaniment of another.

Tip

Both patterns require the preceding verb to be in the dictionary form (non-past). You cannot use them with static states; they must describe a process of change.

Examples

Examples in Context

See how these patterns function in natural sentences.

時代(じだい)が進む(すすむ)につれて、生活様式(せいかつようしき)も変わった(かわった)。

As the times progressed, our lifestyle also changed.

時代じだいera/times進むすすむto advance生活様式せいかつようしきlifestyle変わったかわったchanged

人口(じんこう)の増加(ぞうか)に伴って、ゴミ問題(ごみもんだい)が深刻化(しんこくか)している。

Along with the increase in population, the trash problem is becoming serious.

人口じんこうpopulation増加ぞうかincreaseゴミ問題ごみもんだいtrash problem深刻化しんこくかbecoming serious

気温が上がる【につれて】、湿気も高くなる。

Hint: Use the grammar point for proportional change.

As the temperature rises, the humidity also increases.

Usage

Nuance and Register

While similar, these two patterns have distinct usage contexts.

Comparison

〜につれて

Focuses on the process of change over time.

年を取るにつれて

〜に伴って

Focuses on the causal link or accompaniment of a change.

法改正に伴って

Which of the following is more appropriate for a formal business report?

✓ 〜に伴って
〜につれて

〜に伴って is more formal and commonly used in written business or academic reports to denote a direct consequence.

Deep dive

Advanced Usage

A closer look at the constraints of these patterns.

Exceptions and Constraints

Note that 〜に伴って can also be used with nouns directly (e.g., 計画に伴う変更 - changes accompanying the plan). However, 〜につれて is strictly used with verbs of change. You cannot say '計画につれての変更'.

Summary

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, we explored how to link changing states using 〜につれて and 〜に伴って. Use these to add sophistication to your writing when describing trends, developments, or causal shifts.

進む

すすむverb

to advance

増加

ぞうかnoun

increase

深刻化

しんこくかnoun

becoming serious

生活様式

せいかつようしきnoun

lifestyle