「〜に従って/に従い」- Indicating Consequence

Explanation

Grammar: Noun + に従って／に従い
This structure indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, where the latter changes in response to the former. It is often translated as "as" or "in accordance with."

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
に従って/に従い	Noun + に従って／に従い	Indicates that the latter changes in response to the former.

Basic Usage

• に従って and に従い are used to describe how one thing changes in response to another.
• They are typically connected to nouns or the dictionary form of verbs.

Examples

• 医学いがくが進すすむに従って、人々ひとびとの平均寿命へいきんじゅみょうは延のびてきた。
• Igaku ga susumu ni shitagatte, hitobito no heikinjumyou wa nobite kita.
• As medicine advances, people's average lifespan has increased.
  

• 気温きおんが下さがるに従って、紅葉こうようが美うつくしくなる。
• Kion ga sagaru ni shitagatte, kouyou ga utsukushiku naru.
• As the temperature drops, the autumn leaves become more beautiful.
  

• 経済けいざいが発展はってんするに従って、生活せいかつが豊ゆたかになる。
• Keizai ga hatten suru ni shitagatte, seikatsu ga yutaka ni naru.
• As the economy develops, life becomes more affluent.
  

• 年としを取とるに従って、体力たいりょくが落おちてきた。
• Toshi o toru ni shitagatte, tairyoku ga ochite kita.
• As I age, my physical strength declines.
  

Deep Dive

に従って and に従い are versatile and can be used in the following contexts:

1. Natural Phenomena
   • 気温きおんが下さがるに従って、紅葉こうようが美うつくしくなる。
   • Kion ga sagaru ni shitagatte, kouyou ga utsukushiku naru.
   • As the temperature drops, the autumn leaves become more beautiful.
     
2. Social Phenomena
   • 経済けいざいが発展はってんするに従って、生活せいかつが豊ゆたかになる。
   • Keizai ga hatten suru ni shitagatte, seikatsu ga yutaka ni naru.
   • As the economy develops, life becomes more affluent.
     
3. Personal Situations
   • 年としを取とるに従って、体力たいりょくが落おちてきた。
   • Toshi o toru ni shitagatte, tairyoku ga ochite kita.
   • As I age, my physical strength declines.
     

Comparison and Differences

に従って vs. につれて

Expression	Usage	Example	Translation
に従って	Emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship, often used in formal contexts.	人口じんこうが増ふえるに従って、住宅問題じゅうたくもんだいが深刻しんこくになってきた。	As the population increases, housing problems become more serious.
につれて	Focuses on natural changes over time, suitable for everyday expressions.	時間じかんが経たつにつれて、悲かなしみが薄うすれていく。	As time passes, the sadness gradually fades.

に従って vs. に伴って

Expression	Usage	Example	Translation
に従って	Emphasizes cause-and-effect, often used for rules and sequences.	技術ぎじゅつが進歩しんぽするに従って、新あたらしい職業しょくぎょうが生うまれる。	As technology advances, new professions emerge.
に伴って	Emphasizes accompanying changes, suitable for broader contexts.	会社かいしゃの規模きぼが大おおきくなるに伴って、社員しゃいんの数かずも増ふえる。	As the company grows, the number of employees increases.

Cultural Context

In Japanese, に従って is not only used to describe changes in natural and social phenomena but also to express adherence to rules or instructions. This usage reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on order and strict compliance with rules, highlighting the collective nature of Japanese society.

Real-Life Scenarios

• スタッフすたっふの案内あんないに従って、入場にゅうじょうしてください。
• Sutaffu no annai ni shitagatte, nyuujou shite kudasai.
• Please enter according to the staff's instructions.
  

• 説明書せつめいしょに従って、インストールいんすとーるしてください。
• Setsumeisho ni shitagatte, insutooru shite kudasai.
• Please install according to the manual.
  

Summary

に従って and に従い are used to indicate how one thing changes in response to another, applicable to natural phenomena, social phenomena, and personal situations. Understanding their usage and differences from similar expressions will help improve the accuracy of your Japanese expressions.