N2#grammar#n2#causality#change

Complex Sentences Lesson 6

Master the usage of 〜につれて and 〜に伴って to express how one change triggers another.

Context

Observing Change

In daily life, we often notice that as one thing changes, another thing shifts alongside it. For example, as the seasons change, our clothing choices change. Or, as a company grows, its internal rules become more complex.

When describing these proportional or simultaneous changes, Japanese uses specific grammar patterns to link the cause and the resulting shift. Understanding these will help you sound more natural when discussing trends, personal growth, or environmental changes.

Explanation

The Grammar of Change

The patterns 〜につれて and 〜に伴って both express that as A changes, B changes as well. They are formal and often used in writing or professional speech.

Verb/Nounにつれて / に伴って

〜につれて (ni tsurete) emphasizes a process where one change happens along with the progression of another. It implies a gradual, proportional movement. 〜に伴って (ni tomonatte) is slightly more formal and suggests that the second change is a direct consequence or accompaniment of the first.

Watch out

Both patterns require the preceding verb or noun to imply a change (e.g., 増える, 進む, 年, 時代). You cannot use them with static states.

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(せいかつ)が便利(べんり)になった。

As time has progressed, life has become more convenient.

時代じだいera/time進むすすむto progressにつれてにつれてas/along with生活せいかつlife便利べんりconvenient

人口(じんこう)の増加(ぞうか)に伴って(にともなって)、ゴミ(ごみ)の問題が深刻化(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に伴ってにともなってalong withゴミごみtrash深刻化しんこくかbecoming serious

年を取る【につれて】、体力が落ちてきた。

Hint: Use the pattern for 'as/along with'

As I get older, my physical strength has declined.

Usage

Nuance and Comparison

While similar, there are subtle differences in how these are used.

につれて vs に伴って

〜につれて

Focuses on the 'progression' or 'flow' of change.

気温が上がるにつれて...

〜に伴って

Focuses on the 'accompaniment' or 'causality' of change.

法律の改正に伴って...

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

〜につれて
✓ 〜に伴って

〜に伴って is slightly more formal and better suited for official reports or documents describing causal changes.

Deep dive

Advanced Usage

A few edge cases to keep in mind.

Note that 〜に伴って can also be written as 〜に伴い (ni tomonai) in more formal, written contexts. Both are grammatically identical in function. Additionally, while both patterns describe change, they cannot be used to describe a single, instantaneous event; the change must be a continuous process.

Summary

Lesson Recap

Use 〜につれて and 〜に伴って to connect two changing phenomena. Remember that the preceding word must imply a process of change, and choose 〜に伴って for more formal, causal contexts.

時代

じだいnoun

era

増加

ぞうかnoun

increase

深刻化

しんこくかnoun

becoming serious

体力

たいりょくnoun

physical strength