Posted inN1 Grammar

Mastering ～に従い・従って: Following the Flow in Japanese (JLPT N1)

Posted inN1 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“According to,” “following,” “in accordance with,” or indicating that something changes or happens as something else changes or progresses.

🎯 Primary Function

To express that an action, state, or result follows or conforms to a rule, instruction, plan, or external change/progression.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun + に従い / に従って Verb (dictionary form) + に従い / に従って

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal speech and presentations when referring to rules, procedures, or established plans.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely used in casual, everyday conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in formal writing, documents, official statements, academic papers, and news articles.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal spoken contexts like speeches, lectures, and official announcements, but not in informal chat.

💡 Common Applications

Following Rules/Laws/Instructions
Used to state that one must act in accordance with regulations, laws, or given instructions.
Example: 法律に従い、適切に手続きを進める必要があります。 (You must proceed with the procedures appropriately, in accordance with the law.)
Following Plans/Schedules
Used to indicate that actions are performed according to a predetermined plan or schedule.
Example: 計画に従ってプロジェクトを進めた。 (We advanced the project according to the plan.)
Changes/Progression
Used to show that a change or outcome happens in proportion to or as a result of another change or progression over time.
Example: 時代の変化に従い、人々の考え方も変わってきた。 (Following the changes of the times, people’s way of thinking has also changed.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and written contexts; infrequent in casual spoken Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N1
Example Sentences
会社の規定に従って、経費を申請してください。
Please apply for expenses according to company regulations.
現地の慣習に従い、適切な服装を心がけた。
Following local customs, I tried to wear appropriate clothing.
研究が進むに従い、新たな課題が見つかった。
As the research progressed, new issues were found.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Formality
～に従い is generally more formal and more common in written language than ～に従って, although both are formal.
Example: 書類は、定められた手続きに従い提出してください。(Written) vs. 指示に従って行動しましょう。(Spoken/Written – slightly less formal)
Nature of Relationship
Often indicates a relationship where one thing *follows* or *conforms* to another, whether it’s a rule, an instruction, or a natural progression/change.
Example: 時代の流れに従い変化する。 (Change following the flow of the times.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it for casual, conversational information sources.
✅ Use ～によると or ～によれば for reporting information heard casually.
～に従い/従って implies following or conforming to a source (rules, plans, changes), not just reporting information from it.
❌ undefined
✅ undefined
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: High. This pattern is used in formal and polite contexts.
Social Situations: Official announcements, business communication, academic writing, instructions, formal speeches.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese. No significant regional variations.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～に従い・従って vs. ～につれて
～につれて specifically indicates a proportional change (as X changes, Y also changes). ～に従い・従って can also indicate proportional change but more broadly includes following rules, instructions, or abstract concepts like plans or trends.
When to use: Use ～につれて when clearly showing two things changing together proportionally. Use ～に従い・従って for following rules/plans or when the relationship is one of conformity or general progression.
～に従い・従って vs. ～によると
～によると indicates the source of information (according to X, I heard Y). ～に従い・従って indicates acting *in accordance with* or *following* X.
When to use: Use ～によると to attribute information. Use ～に従い・従って to describe actions or states that comply with or follow something.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Connects to Nouns directly (Noun + に従い/従って) and Verbs in the dictionary form (Verb辞書形 + に従い/従って).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

従い (shitagai), 従って (shitagatte). Pronounce the し (shi) clearly. The second い in 従い is often elongated slightly in formal speech.

🧠 Memory Tips

Relate 従う (shitagau) to the meaning “to obey” or “to follow.” Visualize following a set path or rules.

Practice Exercises
会議の決定＿＿＿＿、来月から新システムを導入します。
によると
に従って
につれて
と共に
時代の変化＿＿＿＿、働き方も多様化している。
によれば
によると
に従い
に対して
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