「～ことになる」：Indicating Decisions Made by Others or External Circumstances

Explanation

「～ことになる」 is a commonly used expression in Japanese that indicates a decision or outcome. This grammar point emphasizes that the decision is made by someone else or due to external circumstances, rather than being the speaker's subjective choice. It is pronounced as 「ことになる」 and is formed by attaching it to the dictionary form or negative form of a verb.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Dictionary Form + ことになる	Verb Dictionary Form + ことになる	Indicates a decision made by someone else or external circumstances, not the speaker's subjective choice.
Verb Negative Form + ことになる	Verb Negative Form + ことになる	Indicates a decision made by someone else or external circumstances, not the speaker's subjective choice.

Basic Usage

• Meaning
  「～ことになる」 means "it has been decided that..." and is often used for decisions made by companies, schools, or other external entities.

Examples

• 新あたらしい会社かいしゃを設立せつりつすることになった。
• Atarashii kaisha o setsuritsu suru koto ni natta.
• It has been decided to establish a new company.
  

• 明日あす突然とつぜん出社しゅっしゃすることになった。
• Asu totsuzen shussha suru koto ni natta.
• It has been decided that I will suddenly go to work tomorrow.
  

Deep Dive

「～ことになる」 is mainly used in two scenarios:

1. Decisions Made by Others or External Circumstances:
   When a decision is made by someone else or due to external circumstances, 「～ことになる」 is used. For example, a company makes a decision, or an action is taken due to unavoidable reasons.

2. Expected Outcomes:
   When anticipating a result or naturally inferring an outcome, 「～ことになる」 can also be used.

• 今いまのうちから貯金ちょきんしておかないと、老後ろうご困こまることになるだろう。
• Ima no uchi kara chokin shite okanai to, rougo ni komaru koto ni naru darou.
• If you don't start saving now, you'll likely face difficulties in your old age.
  

Comparison and Differences

「～ことになる」 vs. 「～ことにする」

• 「～ことになる」: A decision made by someone else or external circumstances.

• 「～ことにする」: A decision made by the speaker themselves.

• Example Comparison:

• 上級じょうきゅうクラスくらすは私わたしが教おしえることにしました。

• Joukyuu kurasu wa watashi ga oshieru koto ni shimashita.
• I decided to teach the advanced class.
  

• 上級じょうきゅうクラスくらすは私わたしが教おしえることになりました。

• Joukyuu kurasu wa watashi ga oshieru koto ni narimashita.
• It has been decided that I will teach the advanced class. (Indicates the decision was not made by the speaker)
  

「～ことになる」 vs. 「～こととなる」

• 「～ことになる」: Commonly used in spoken language.

• 「～こととなる」: More formal and used in written language.

• Example Comparison:

• 新あたらしい規則きそくが施行しこうされることとなった。

• Atarashii kisoku ga shikou sareru koto to natta.
• The new regulations will be implemented. (Formal context)
  

Real-Life Scenarios

1. Company Decisions:

   • 厳正げんせいなる選考せんこうの結果けっか、今回こんかいは採用さいようを見合みあわせて頂いただくこととなりました。
   • Gensei naru senkou no kekka, konkai wa saiyou o miawasete itadaku koto to narimashita.
   • After a rigorous selection process, we have decided not to proceed with your application this time.
     

2. Natural Events:

   • 台風たいふうの影響えいきょうで、出発時間しゅっぱつじかんが遅おくれることとなった。
   • Taifuu no eikyou de, shuppatsu jikan ga okureru koto to natta.
   • Due to the typhoon, the departure time has been delayed.
     

3. Personal Decisions:

   • クラスくらすの代表者だいひょうしゃとしてスピーチすぴーちをすることになった。
   • Kurasu no daihyousha to shite supiichi o suru koto ni natta.
   • It has been decided that I will give a speech as the class representative.
     

Summary

「～ことになる」 is an important Japanese grammar point used to indicate decisions made by others or external circumstances. Understanding the nuances and real-life applications of this grammar will help you master the diversity and accuracy of Japanese expressions.