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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

にしたがって (ni shitagatte)

～にしたがって — as ～ changes / in accordance with ～

In short · Has two uses. After a verb dictionary form it means “as one thing changes, another changes along with it.” After a noun like instructions or rules it means “in accordance with, following.”
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Pattern

  • 動詞辞書形＋にしたがって as the first change progresses, the second changes (年を取るにしたがって)
  • 名詞＋にしたがって following an instruction, rule or order (指示にしたがって)

The “change” use

In “A にしたがって B,” as A progresses, B changes little by little. Both A and B express change. It goes well with adverbs such as だんだん and どんどん.

The “follow” use

After nouns like instructions, rules and guidance, it means doing as they say, as in 係の人の指示にしたがって. The change use is close to につれて, and the follow use is close to に沿って or 通りに. In the change use, do not put an intention or command in the second half.

Examples

  • 年（とし）を取（と）るにしたがって、体（からだ）が弱（よわ）くなる。

    Toshi o toru ni shitagatte, karada ga yowaku naru.

    As one gets older, the body weakens.

    Verb dictionary form + にしたがって: change use.

  • 川（かわ）は下流（かりゅう）に行（い）くにしたがって、だんだん広（ひろ）くなる。

    Kawa wa karyū ni iku ni shitagatte, dandan hirokunaru.

    As the river goes downstream, it gradually widens.

    Change across a place, not only time.

  • 係（かかり）の人（ひと）の指示（しじ）にしたがって、外（そと）へ出（で）た。

    Kakari no hito no shiji ni shitagatte, soto e deta.

    Following the staff member's instructions, we went outside.

    Noun + にしたがって: follow use.

Common mistakes

  • In the change use, the preceding verb is the dictionary form (not the ta-form).
  • Do not follow it with intention or commands such as 〜よう or 〜てください. Describe the change.

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