Meaning & Usage
The Japanese grammar pattern 「に伴って」(ni tomonatte) is a versatile expression. It indicates that something happens or changes along with, as, or in proportion to another event or change. This pattern connects two clauses: the first describes a change or condition, and the second details a resulting or accompanying change or event. It effectively conveys a correlational relationship, meaning “as X happens, Y also happens,” or “with X, Y occurs.”
This grammar point is frequently used when there's a clear sense of shared progression or consequence. For example, if a city's population increases, housing prices might increase along with it. Similarly, as technology advances, our lifestyles change as a result. The nuance often implies a natural or inevitable progression, or a direct cause-and-effect relationship where the second event is a direct consequence or accompaniment of the first.
When compared to similar English expressions, 「に伴って」can be translated as 'accompanying,' 'concomitant with,' 'following,' 'due to,' or 'in accordance with.' While 'as' can sometimes be a direct translation, 「に伴って」carries a stronger sense of a direct, often proportional, link or a necessary consequence, rather than just a simultaneous occurrence. For instance, if you say, “As the rain fell, the temperature dropped,” a simpler form might suffice if it’s merely simultaneous. However, if the drop in temperature is a direct and expected outcome of the rain, 「に伴って」fits perfectly.
In terms of nuance and context, 「に伴って」is generally more formal than similar expressions like 「につれて」(ni tsurete) or 「とともに」(to tomo ni). You'll often encounter it in written Japanese, formal speeches, news reports, and academic texts. While it does appear in spoken Japanese, especially in more formal discussions, 「につれて」tends to be more common in everyday, slightly less formal contexts. Both 「に伴って」and 「につれて」express gradual change. However, 「に伴って」can also describe a more immediate or significant accompanying event, not exclusively gradual processes, giving it a sense of a more profound or significant correlation.
To help visualize 「に伴って」, imagine two graphs moving in tandem. As one variable (described in the first clause) changes, the other variable (in the second clause) changes in a dependent or related manner. This highlights their interdependency, making it an excellent tool for describing trends, cause-and-effect relationships, and developments where multiple factors evolve together.
Structure & Formation
The structure of 「に伴って」is quite straightforward, making it relatively easy to apply once you grasp its core meaning. It primarily attaches to nouns and the dictionary form of verbs.
Connecting to Nouns:
名詞 (Noun) + に伴って / に伴い / に伴う
- 変化 (へんか) + に伴って (ni tomonatte)
- 発展 (はってん) + に伴って (ni tomonatte)
- 増加 (ぞうか) + に伴って (ni tomonatte)
When used with a noun, it directly translates to “along with [that noun]” or “accompanying [that noun].” For example, 「経済成長に伴って、物価が上昇した。」 (Keizai seichō ni tomonatte, bukka ga jōshō shita. - Along with economic growth, prices rose.)
Connecting to Verbs:
動詞辞書形 (Verb Dictionary Form) + に伴って / に伴い / に伴う
- 上がる (あがる) + に伴って (ni tomonatte)
- 進む (すすむ) + に伴って (ni tomonatte)
- 変化する (へんかする) + に伴って (ni tomonatte)
When connected to a verb in its dictionary form, the verb describes the action or change being accompanied. Note that verbs used here typically describe a process or change. For instance, 「年を取るに伴って、健康に気を遣うようになった。」 (Toshi wo toru ni tomonatte, kenkō ni ki wo tsukau yō ni natta. - As I aged, I started paying more attention to my health.)
Variations:
You will often see three main variations: 「に伴って」(ni tomonatte), 「に伴い」(ni tomonai), and 「に伴う」(ni tomonau).
- に伴って (ni tomonatte): This is the most common form and functions adverbially, connecting two clauses. Use it when the first event causes or accompanies the second event.
- に伴い (ni tomonai): This is a more formal and slightly literary variant, often used adverbially in written language or very formal contexts, similar to 「に伴って」. It sometimes carries a stronger implication of consequence or necessity.
- に伴う (ni tomonau): This form acts as a verb (に伴う) or an adjective (e.g., に伴う変化, 'a change accompanying...') and directly modifies a noun. For example, 「それに伴う問題」(sore ni tomonau mondai - 'problems accompanying that').
Here's a table summarizing the structure:
| Part of Speech | Structure | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | 名詞 + に伴って / に伴い | Along with [Noun] |
| Verb | 動詞辞書形 + に伴って / に伴い | As [Verb] happens |
| Modifier | それに伴う + 名詞 | [Noun] that accompanies that |
Example Sentences
General Usage
人口の増加に伴って、交通量も増えた。
Jinkō no zōka ni tomonatte, kōtsūryō mo fueta.
Along with the increase in population, the traffic volume also increased.
経済の発展に伴って、国民の生活水準が向上した。
Keizai no hatten ni tomonatte, kokumin no seikatsu suijun ga kōjō shita.
As the economy developed, the standard of living for citizens improved.
技術の進化に伴って、私たちの生活は大きく変わった。
Gijutsu no shinka ni tomonatte, watashitachi no seikatsu wa ookiku kawatta.
Along with the evolution of technology, our lives have changed greatly.
Formal or Written Context
事業の拡大に伴い、新しい人材が必要となった。
Jigyō no kakudai ni tomonai, atarashii jinzai ga hitsuyō to natta.
Accompanying the expansion of the business, new human resources became necessary.
年齢を重ねるに伴って、健康に注意するようになった。
Nenrei wo kasaneru ni tomonatte, kenkō ni chūi suru yō ni natta.
As I grew older, I started paying attention to my health.
彼の出世に伴って、責任も増えた。
Kare no shusse ni tomonatte, sekinin mo fueta.
Along with his promotion, his responsibilities also increased.
Indicating Consequence or Result
規制の緩和に伴って、投資が増加した。
Kisei no kanwa ni tomonatte, tōshi ga zōka shita.
Due to the relaxation of regulations, investments increased.
地球温暖化の進行に伴い、異常気象が増加している。
Chikyū ondan-ka no shinkō ni tomonai, ijō kishō ga zōka shite iru.
Accompanying the progression of global warming, abnormal weather events are increasing.
台風の接近に伴い、風雨が強まってきた。
Taifū no sekkin ni tomonai, fūu ga tsuyomatte kita.
Along with the approach of the typhoon, the wind and rain have become stronger.
Associated Changes
教育制度の改革に伴って、学習内容も変化した。
Kyōiku seido no kaikaku ni tomonatte, gakushū naiyō mo henka shita.
As the education system was reformed, the learning content also changed.
新しいサービスを開始するに伴って、キャンペーンを実施します。
Atarashii sābisu wo kaishi suru ni tomonatte, kyanpēn wo jisshi shimasu.
Along with launching a new service, we will implement a campaign.
責任が増えるに伴って、仕事のプレッシャーも大きくなった。
Sekinin ga fueru ni tomonatte, shigoto no puresshā mo ookiku natta.
As my responsibilities increased, the pressure at work also grew.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Confusing with simple 'and' or 'also'
Sometimes, learners might overuse に伴って when a simpler conjunction or particle would suffice, or when the relationship isn't necessarily one of accompaniment or consequence, but rather just a list of events.
❌ 彼は歌うに伴って、ダンスもした。
✅ 彼は歌いながらダンスもした。
Explanation: The first sentence implies that singing and dancing are directly correlated or that one causes the other, which isn't the natural meaning here. The correct sentence uses ～ながら (nagara) to express doing two actions simultaneously, which is more appropriate.
Mistake 2: Incorrect word form before に伴って
Remember that に伴って usually attaches to nouns or the dictionary form of verbs. Using other verb forms or adjectives directly can be a mistake.
❌ 暑いかったに伴って、エアコンをつけた。
✅ 気温の上昇に伴って、エアコンをつけた。
Explanation: 「暑いかった」(atsukatta) is a past tense i-adjective. 「に伴って」cannot directly follow an i-adjective. Instead, you should rephrase it using a noun phrase like 「気温の上昇」(kion no jōshō - rise in temperature) to make it grammatically correct. You could also say 「暑くなるのに伴って」(atsuku naru no ni tomonatte) if expressing a gradual change to being hot.
Mistake 3: Using for unrelated or weak correlations
「に伴って」implies a fairly strong or expected correlation. Using it for events that happen to occur at the same time but don't have a clear accompanying relationship can sound unnatural.
❌ 私が本を読むに伴って、弟はテレビを見た。
✅ 私が本を読んでいるとき、弟はテレビを見ていた。
Explanation: There's no inherent connection or consequence between you reading a book and your brother watching TV. The first sentence incorrectly suggests a cause-and-effect relationship. The second sentence correctly uses 「とき」(toki) to simply state that two actions happened at the same time.
Mistake 4: Overlooking the slightly formal tone
While not strictly a grammatical mistake, using 「に伴って」in very casual conversation where simpler alternatives like 「～につれて」or even just 「～と」would fit better can make your speech sound stiff or overly formal.
❌ (To a friend) 時間が経つに伴って、お腹が空いてきたね。
✅ (To a friend) 時間が経つにつれて、お腹が空いてきたね。
Explanation: While grammatically correct, 「に伴って」is a bit formal for casual chat about getting hungry over time. 「につれて」is a more natural choice for describing gradual, accompanying changes in informal settings.
Cultural Notes
In Japanese society, the concept of things happening in harmony or in response to each other is quite prevalent. 「に伴って」captures this essence by highlighting how events or conditions are often interconnected. You'll frequently encounter this phrase in discussions about social trends, economic shifts, or technological advancements. For example, when talking about urban development, it's natural to discuss the problems that arise 「に伴って」 (along with) the growth of cities.
Native speakers often use 「に伴って」when they want to emphasize the direct, often unavoidable, consequences or parallel developments of a major change. It conveys a sense of logical progression. This usage is particularly common in news reports and formal discussions where precision and a slightly elevated tone are desired. When a politician or a business leader announces a new policy or plan, they might use 「それに伴うリスク」(sore ni tomonau risuku - 'risks accompanying that') to address potential issues, demonstrating foresight and a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Because of its slightly formal nature, using 「に伴って」can sometimes lend a sense of gravity or importance to your statements. It implies that the relationship between the two events is significant enough to warrant this more formal phrasing. This grammar point emphasizes a cause-and-effect or proportional relationship that is noteworthy, moving beyond simple coexistence.
JLPT Tips
For the JLPT N3 exam, understanding 「に伴って」is crucial for both reading comprehension and grammar sections. Here are some tips to help you master it:
Context is Key: Pay close attention to the context in which 「に伴って」is used. Is it describing a societal trend, a scientific phenomenon, or a personal development? The context often indicates a more formal or objective relationship between the two clauses.
Identify the Cause and Effect: Always try to identify the 'cause' or 'driving change' (the phrase before に伴って) and the 'effect' or 'accompanying change' (the phrase after). This approach will solidify your understanding of the relationship being expressed.
Distinguish from Similar Grammar: As mentioned in the 'Related Grammar' section, 「に伴って」has close relatives like 「につれて」and 「とともに」. While they share similarities, remember that 「に伴って」often implies a more significant, formal, or direct correlational consequence. 「につれて」emphasizes gradual change, and 「とともに」can be for simple togetherness or simultaneous change. In JLPT questions, you might be asked to choose the most appropriate expression.
Look for Keywords: Nouns or verbs indicating change, increase, decrease, development, progress, etc., are strong indicators that 「に伴って」might be used effectively. Words like 「変化」(change), 「増加」(increase), 「減少」(decrease), 「発展」(development), 「進化」(evolution), 「進行」(progress) often precede this grammar.
Practice with Reading: The best way to get comfortable with 「に伴って」is to read it in various contexts. Look for it in news articles, formal documents, or even explanations of other grammar points. This exposure will help you internalize its usage and nuance, which is vital for the N3 level.
Check the Word Form: Double-check that it follows either a noun or the dictionary form of a verb. Incorrect forms will be a common trap in grammar questions.