When It Comes To: ともなると (tomonaru to)

Meaning & Usage

ともなると (tomonaru to) is an N1 grammar point signifying a significant shift in situation or circumstance upon reaching a particular stage, level, or condition. It conveys a sense of "when it comes to (a certain stage)," "once it reaches (a certain point)," or "if it gets to (that level)." This nuance often implies that at this new stage, things become distinct, more serious, or demand special consideration. It highlights a qualitative transformation leading to new expectations, responsibilities, or characteristics.

This grammar point frequently emphasizes the importance, difficulty, or unique nature of something once it attains a specific status or level. For instance, 社長しゃちょうともなると (shachou tomonaru to) suggests that "when one becomes president (a high position), things change considerably." It's not merely a simple condition like "if you become president," but rather an acknowledgment of the distinct responsibilities, pressures, and privileges inherently tied to that specific status. It indicates that the individual is now subject to factors that were previously less prominent or entirely absent.

In English, comparable phrases include "When it comes to...", "Once you reach the level of...", "At the point where one is...", or "If it's a matter of...". However, ともなると carries a more definitive and often consequential tone. It implies a natural or inevitable outcome or characteristic that emerges from attaining that particular state, often accompanied by an objective or evaluative perspective. Generally, it's used in more formal or semi-formal contexts, such as writing, speeches, or serious discussions, rather than casual conversation. The core idea behind this grammar is to envision it as a "threshold" where crossing it introduces new, often inherent, implications or conditions.

Structure & Formation

The structure of ともなると is fairly straightforward, primarily attaching to nouns. Although less common, it can also connect to the plain form of verbs. In rare instances, it may follow nominalized adjectives or adjective phrases. Crucially, the preceding element must represent a distinct stage, position, or condition.

Main Structures:

• Noun + ともなると

This is the most frequent and natural usage. It directly follows a noun representing a person, position, time, or situation. Example: プロプロののスポーツ選手せんしゅともなると (When one becomes a professional athlete).

• Verb (Plain Form) + ともなると

When used with verbs, it typically highlights the completion of an action or the arrival at a state described by the verb. The verb often expresses a significant action or a change in state. Example: 一人暮ひとりぐらしをを始はじめるめるともなると (When one starts living alone).

• い-Adjective / な-Adjective + ともなると

Direct attachment to adjectives is uncommon. Instead, adjectives are typically nominalized using こと or used to modify a noun, after which ともなると follows that noun phrase. For example, 忙いそがしいしい時期じきともなると (when it becomes a busy period) is more natural than trying to attach it directly to 忙いそがしいしい.

Note: Usage with adjectives is primarily indirect, usually through nominalization or by modifying a noun. This provides a clear "stage" or "situation" for ともなると to reference.

Example Sentences

学生生活の終わり

責任の増加

専門性の高まり

規模の拡大

季節の変化

特別な機会

年齢による変化

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using for simple conditions

ともなると implies a significant change or consequence when a certain stage is reached, not just a simple "if/when." Using it for everyday, non-consequential conditions can sound unnatural and overly dramatic.

❌ 雨あめがが降ふるともなるとともなると傘かさをを差さすす。

✅ 雨あめがが降ふるとと傘かさをを差さすす。

Explanation: For a simple conditional action like "if it rains, open an umbrella," と is sufficient. ともなると suggests rain is a momentous event leading to various challenges, which is typically not the case for merely opening an umbrella. This usage would be awkward.

Mistake 2: Using in overly casual or personal contexts

ともなると has a somewhat formal or objective tone. It's generally not appropriate for very casual or highly personal situations unless you specifically intend to add a sense of gravity or formality.

❌ 私わたしのの部屋へやともなるとともなると少すこしし散ちらかっているらかっている。

✅ 私わたしのの部屋へやはは少すこしし散ちらかっているらかっている。

Explanation: "My room is a little messy" is a simple observation and doesn't warrant the weight or formality of ともなると. It's not a significant stage leading to new implications.

Mistake 3: Incorrectly attaching to adjective plain forms

While grammatically possible in some specific nuances, directly attaching ともなると to plain adjective forms often sounds less natural. Nominalizing the adjective or having it modify a noun is usually preferred. Phrases like ～ななことことともなると or ～時期じきともなると are much more common.

❌ 眠ねむいいともなるとともなると集中しゅうちゅうできないできない。

✅ 眠ねむいい時ときともなるとともなると集中しゅうちゅうできないできない。

Explanation: Attaching ともなると to 眠ねむいい時とき (when it's a sleepy time/moment) is more natural than directly to 眠ねむいい (the sleepy adjective). Here, 時とき functions as the noun phrase for ともなると to refer to.

Mistake 4: Confusing with ~になると/~になったら

～になると (ni naru to) or ～になったら (ni nattara) are simple expressions for "when it becomes/if it becomes." In contrast, ともなると emphasizes the significance and implications of reaching that state, suggesting a qualitative shift that brings inherent changes.

❌ 社長しゃちょうになるともなるとともなると大変たいへんだだ。

✅ 社長しゃちょうともなるとともなると大変たいへんだだ。

✅ 社長しゃちょうになるとになると大変たいへんだだ。

Explanation: The first sentence is redundant; 社長しゃちょうともなると already encapsulates the nuance of "becoming president." The second correct example is more concise and effectively uses ともなると. The third correct example simply states a fact without the emphatic nuance of ともなると.

Mistake 5: Overuse for minor transitions

Reserve ともなると for truly significant transitions or status changes that lead to notable differences or new responsibilities. Using it for trivial shifts can sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

❌ 朝あさ、目めがが覚さめるともなるとともなるとコーヒーコーヒーをを飲のむむ。

✅ 朝あさ、目めがが覚さめるととコーヒーコーヒーをを飲のむむ。

Explanation: Waking up in the morning is a routine event, not a "significant stage" that calls for ともなると. Simple conditional forms like と or たら are appropriate here.

Cultural Notes

The expression ともなると carries a certain gravitas and is frequently used to emphasize the heightened expectations, responsibilities, or characteristics associated with a particular status, position, or stage in life. You'll often hear it in discussions about professional roles, academic milestones, or major life events. For instance, when discussing someone who has achieved a high rank in a company or earned a significant academic degree, using ともなると conveys that their current standing comes with different rules, pressures, and capabilities compared to someone at a lower level.

Native speakers might employ this when making an observation that highlights a qualitative difference. For example, "A child in elementary school might be playful, but 中学生ちゅうがくせいともなると (when it comes to middle schoolers), they start thinking more seriously about their future." It’s a way to acknowledge natural progression and the inherent changes that accompany it, often with an underlying tone of understanding or even mild resignation to the new state of affairs.

It also serves to explain why certain phenomena occur or why particular behaviors are expected. For example, 大おお都市としともなると (when it comes to big cities), one naturally anticipates high prices, crowded trains, and diverse opportunities. This frames these aspects as inherent characteristics or consequences of being in that specific state or place. This nuance of "it's only natural that..." or "it's characteristic of..." is a strong component of its usage.

JLPT Tips

When encountering ともなると in the JLPT N1 exam, pay close attention to the context to grasp its full nuance. This grammar point often appears in sentences describing a situation where reaching a certain level, position, or state leads to specific, often increased, responsibilities, difficulties, or characteristics. Look for keywords indicating a significant change or elevation, such as terms related to rank (社長しゃちょう, 部長ぶちょう), age (大人おとな, 定年ていねん), scale (大おお都市とし), or important events (結婚式けっこんしき, 卒業そつぎょう).

A common trap is confusing it with simpler conditional expressions like ～になると or ～たら. Remember that ともなると adds an emphatic layer, highlighting the consequences or natural implications of reaching that threshold. It's not just a straightforward "if/when." Therefore, if the sentence implies a deeper meaning, a sense of "it's only natural that X happens when Y reaches this level," then ともなると is likely the correct choice. Practice distinguishing it from ～となると by looking for that extra emphasis on the significance of the stage, rather than just a simple conditional.

Also, be mindful of its formal register. While not exclusively formal, it's generally not used in very casual conversations. If the overall tone of the passage is somewhat elevated, analytical, or conveys a sense of objectivity, ともなると fits well. Ensure you can accurately identify the noun or verb phrase it attaches to, as this is crucial for correct interpretation and usage. Pay attention to the types of nouns it follows, as these will often be significant or influential entities.