JLPT N2 grammar
〜にしたがって — Meaning & Examples
Two uses: (1) gradual change like につれて; (2) "in accordance with" rules/instructions, from 従う (to obey). 説明書にしたがって = according to the manual. Slightly more formal.
〜にしたがって — "In Accordance With / As"
にしたがって has TWO related uses:
Use 1: Gradual change (very similar to につれて)
[dictionary form / noun] + にしたがって
年を取るにしたがって、忘れっぽくなる。
= As one ages, one becomes more forgetful.
北へ行くにしたがって、寒くなる。
= As you go north, it gets colder.
Here it's almost interchangeable with につれて.
Use 2: "Following / in accordance with" rules or instructions
This comes from the verb 従う (したがう) = "to follow/obey."
説明書にしたがって、組み立ててください。
= Please assemble it according to the manual.
医者の指示にしたがって、薬を飲んだ。
= I took the medicine following the doctor's instructions.
矢印にしたがって進んでください。
= Please proceed following the arrows.
につれて vs にしたがって for change:
- につれて = purely natural, gradual change
- にしたがって = natural change OR following a rule/guide
- にしたがって sounds slightly more formal/written
Key feeling: Either gradual parallel change, or "in line with" some guide or authority.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜にしたがって. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "The more you practise, the better you get" uses?
- 練習するにつれて (renshuu suru ni tsurete)
- 練習するほど疲れる (renshuu suru hodo tsukareru)
- 練習するにしたがって (renshuu suru ni shitagatte)
- 練習すればするほど (renshuu sureba suru hodo)
Show answer
Answer: 練習すればするほど (renshuu sureba suru hodo)
ば〜ほど = "the more... the more." 練習すればするほど上手になる. The classic proportional pattern.
2. "Please assemble it according to the manual" uses にしたがって in which sense?
- Gradual change
- The more... the more
- Following instructions/rules
- To the extent of
Show answer
Answer: Following instructions/rules
にしたがって from 従う (to obey) = "in accordance with." 説明書にしたがって = following the manual. The instruction-following use.
3. "Today isn't as hot as yesterday" uses?
- 今日は昨日につれて暑い (kyou wa kinou ni tsurete atsui)
- 今日は昨日ほど暑くない (kyou wa kinou hodo atsukunai)
- 今日は昨日ばほど暑い (kyou wa kinou ba hodo atsui)
- 今日は昨日にしたがって暑い (kyou wa kinou ni shitagatte atsui)
Show answer
Answer: 今日は昨日ほど暑くない (kyou wa kinou hodo atsukunai)
ほど〜ない for comparison: 昨日ほど暑くない = not as hot as yesterday.
Practise 〜にしたがって in the free app
This point is part of the “Proportion and Change — ば〜ほど・につれて・にしたがって” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N2 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N2 grammar points
From the same lesson: Proportion and Change — ば〜ほど・につれて・にしたがって
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜にしたがって mean?
Two uses: (1) gradual change like につれて; (2) "in accordance with" rules/instructions, from 従う (to obey). 説明書にしたがって = according to the manual. Slightly more formal.
Is 〜にしたがって on the JLPT N2 test?
〜にしたがって is taught in the JLPT N2 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Proportion and Change — ば〜ほど・につれて・にしたがって”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜にしたがって?
Open the “Proportion and Change — ば〜ほど・につれて・にしたがって” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N2 mock exams, with no ads.