Posted inN1 Grammar

Mastering N1 Grammar: ～をもとに (Based On / Drawing From)

Posted inN1 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“Based on”, “drawing from”, “using as a basis or foundation”.

🎯 Primary Function

Indicates the source material, information, or foundation upon which something is created, decided, or done.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Noun] + をもとに + [Verb/Noun] [Noun] + をもとにして + [Verb/Noun]

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in academic writing, business reports, news articles, official statements, and formal presentations.

😊 Informal Situations

Less common in casual conversation, but can be used when explaining the basis for a decision or creation in a more formal tone.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in written language, especially in academic, technical, and journalistic contexts.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in spoken language primarily in formal settings (presentations, meetings) or when explaining formal processes/creations.

💡 Common Applications

Research and Analysis
Used to indicate the data or studies that form the basis of a new analysis or conclusion.
Example: この論文は、最新の統計データ**をもとに**書かれました。 (This paper was written **based on** the latest statistical data.)
Creation of Works
Used when a creative work (movie, book, design) is based on an existing source (novel, historical fact, concept).
Example: この映画は、実話**をもとに**作られた感動的なストーリーです。 (This movie is a touching story made **based on** a true story.)
Decision Making
Used to show the information, feedback, or criteria used as the foundation for making a decision.
Example: お客様からの意見**をもとに**、サービスの改善を行います。 (We will improve our service **based on** customer feedback.)
📊
Frequency
Moderate to high in formal and written contexts; less frequent in everyday casual speech.
🎚️
Difficulty
Advanced (JLPT N1). Understanding its formal usage and subtle differences from similar expressions is key.
Example Sentences
この計画は、過去の成功事例**をもとに**立案されました。
This plan was drafted **based on** past successful cases.
アンケート結果**をもとに**、新しい商品のコンセプトを決定します。
We will decide the concept for the new product **based on** the survey results.
彼のスピーチは、豊富な経験**をもとにして**聴衆を惹きつけました。
His speech captivated the audience **based on** his rich experience.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Indicates the source/foundation
～をもとに clearly states what information, data, or material is used as the base for the subsequent action or creation.
Example: 市場調査**をもとに**戦略を立てる。 (Formulate a strategy **based on** market research.)
Optional 「して」
Adding 「して」 after 「をもとに」 is optional and usually doesn’t change the meaning. 「をもとに」 is slightly more concise and common in written form, while 「をもとにして」 might feel slightly more like describing an action.
Example: データを**もとに**分析する。/ データを**もとにして**分析する。 (Analyze **based on** data.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it for simple cause/reason
✅ Use patterns like ～によって, ～から, etc. when simply indicating a cause or source without the nuance of building upon it.
「雨**をもとに**道がぬかるんでいる」 is unnatural. Use 「雨**によって**道がぬかるんでいる」 (The road is muddy **due to** the rain). 「をもとに」 needs the idea of something being *created* or *decided* based on the noun.
❌ Using it in very casual conversation unnecessarily
✅ In simple casual contexts, other expressions might be more natural.
While not strictly incorrect, 「友達の話**をもとに**あの店に行った」 (I went to that store **based on** my friend’s recommendation) sounds a bit formal. 「友達の話を聞いてあの店に行った」 (Hearing my friend’s story, I went to that store) is more natural casually.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Formal to polite.
Social Situations: Appropriate in business, academic, and official contexts. Less suitable for everyday casual conversations.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese, no significant regional variations in meaning or usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～をもとに vs. ～に基づいて
～をもとに implies using something as a basis or foundation for creating or deciding something new or modified. ～に基づいて implies adhering to, following, or being in accordance with established rules, principles, facts, or standards.
When to use: Use ～をもとに when something is built *upon* a source. Use ～に基づいて when something is done *in accordance with* or *following* established standards/rules. Examples: データ**をもとに**新しい理論を立てる (Build a new theory **based on** data); 規則**に基づいて**処理を行う (Process it **in accordance with** the rules).
～をもとに vs. ～から
～をもとに is more specific in indicating the source is used as a *basis* or *foundation* for creation/decision. ～から is a more general particle indicating source or origin.
When to use: Use ～をもとに when emphasizing that the noun is the fundamental source for something being made or decided. Use ～から more broadly for origin (e.g., 「箱**から**取り出す」 – take out **from** the box) or simple source of information (e.g., 「友達**から**聞いた」 – heard **from** a friend).
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📝 Conjugation Notes

Attaches directly to the plain form of a noun. No complex conjugation required for the grammar pattern itself.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced clearly as 「を もと に」 (o moto ni). The particle を (wo) is often pronounced more like “o”.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 元 (もと) meaning “origin” or “basis”. You are taking something **from** that origin/basis (を) and using it **as** that basis (に).

Practice Exercises
この小説は、有名な童話＿＿＿＿書かれています。
をもとに
に基づいて
によって
から
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