Posted inN1 Grammar

Mastering ～に基づいて (ni motozuite): The N1 Grammar of Basis and Foundation

Posted inN1 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Based on; According to; On the basis of

🎯 Primary Function

Indicates the foundation, standard, source, or criteria upon which an action, judgment, decision, or statement is made.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Noun] + に基づいて (ni motozuite) [Noun] + に基づき (ni motozuki) – More formal/literary [Noun] + に基づいた (ni motozuita) + [Noun] – Adjectival form [Noun] + に基づけば (ni motozukeba) – If based on…

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Highly common in formal discussions, presentations, reporting, and official statements.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely used; sounds overly stiff and unnatural.

✍️ Written Language

Very frequently used in formal documents, academic papers, news articles, reports, legal texts, and official communications.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used primarily in formal speeches, presentations, or business settings; avoided in casual conversation.

💡 Common Applications

Reporting facts or decisions based on evidence/data
Used to state that information or conclusions are derived from specific data, research results, or reports.
Example: 調査の結果に基づいて、新しい計画を立てました。 (Chōsa no kekka ni motozuite, atarashii keikaku o tatemashita.) – We made a new plan based on the results of the survey.
Making judgments or decisions based on rules/principles
Used to indicate that a decision or judgment follows specific rules, laws, criteria, or principles.
Example: この法律は、憲法に基づいて制定されました。 (Kono hōritsu wa, kenpō ni motozuite seitei saremashita.) – This law was established based on the constitution.
Creating standards or theories based on principles
Used when establishing standards, theories, or systems rooted in specific principles or concepts.
Example: 当社の評価システムは、個人の実績に基づいて行われます。 (Tōsha no hyōka shisutemu wa, kojin no jisseki ni motozuite okonawaremasu.) – Our company’s evaluation system is conducted based on individual performance.
📊
Frequency
High in formal and written contexts; low in informal spoken contexts.
🎚️
Difficulty
Advanced (Equivalent to JLPT N1). Requires understanding of nuance and formality.
Example Sentences
このレポートは、正確なデータに基づいて作成されています。
This report has been prepared based on accurate data.
全ての判断は、客観的な証拠に基づいて行われるべきだ。
All judgments should be made based on objective evidence.
彼の発言は、誤った情報に基づいていた。
His statement was based on incorrect information.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Formality
～に基づいて is a relatively formal expression used primarily in written language and formal spoken situations.
Example: ✕ 友達の話に基づいて旅行を決めた。(Casual) → ○ 調査の結果に基づいて旅行の計画を立てた。(Formal)
Takes Abstract Nouns
The noun preceding ～に基づいて is usually an abstract concept, rule, data, fact, or principle, rather than a concrete object.
Example: 調査結果 (survey results), 事実 (fact), 経験 (experience), 法律 (law), 計画 (plan), 理念 (principle)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it in casual conversation.
✅ Use more casual expressions like ～を参考にして (~o sankou ni shite), ～から (~kara), or rephrase the sentence.
～に基づいて sounds unnatural and overly formal in everyday conversations between friends or family.
❌ Confusing with ～を基に (～をもとに).
✅ While similar, ～を基に often implies using something as a foundation from which something new is created or developed. ～に基づいて is more about following or adhering to the basis.
See “Subtle Differences” section for a detailed comparison.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: High (Used in formal and polite contexts).
Social Situations: Business meetings, academic presentations, official reports, news broadcasts.
Regional Variations: Standard usage across all regions.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～に基づいて vs. ～を基に (～をもとに)
に基づいて emphasizes adherence to a standard, rule, data, or fact. を基に emphasizes using something as a starting point or material to create something new.
When to use: Use に基づいて when stating something strictly follows or is derived from a basis (like a law, data, report). Use を基に when something is created or developed *using* something as a source or foundation (like writing a novel based on a historical event, or designing a product based on customer feedback).
～に基づいて vs. ～に従って (～にしたがって)
に基づいて focuses on the *source* or *foundation* of a judgment/action. ～に従って focuses on *following* rules, instructions, or orders.
When to use: Use に基づいて for the criteria or basis. Use ～に従って for following procedures or instructions.
～に基づいて vs. ～によって (～によって)
～によって can have many meanings (“by,” “due to,” “depending on”). When it means “according to,” it can sometimes be interchangeable, but に基づいて specifically implies a solid foundation or standard.
When to use: Use に基づいて when emphasizing that something is firmly rooted in facts, data, rules, etc. ～によって is more general.

📝 Conjugation Notes

～に基づいて is an adverbial form derived from the verb 基づく (もとづく – to be based on). It functions similarly to an adverbial particle phrase. Noun + に基づいて Noun + に基づき (more formal/literary) Noun + に基づいた + Noun (attributive form) Noun + に基づけば (conditional form)

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

もとづいて (motozuite): Pronounce clearly, paying attention to the voiced “づ” (zu). The “i” after “zui” is sometimes slightly devoiced but typically pronounced.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 基 (moto) meaning “foundation” or “basis”. ～に基づいて means “on the basis of ~”. Link 基 (もと) to もとづいて.

Practice Exercises
この決定は、何を＿＿＿＿＿行われましたか？
に基づいて
を基に
によって
に従って
研究＿＿＿＿＿理論を構築した。
に基づいた
を基に
に従った
によって
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