JLPT N2 grammar
〜につれて — Meaning & Examples
"As (gradually) X, Y changes too." 時間がたつにつれて = as time passes... Natural, gradual, parallel change — the second clause is never a command or intention.
〜につれて — "As (Gradually)..."
につれて describes a gradual change where, as one thing progresses, another naturally changes along with it. Both sides are usually beyond anyone's deliberate control.
Pattern: [dictionary form / noun] + につれて
時間がたつにつれて、痛みは消えていった。
= As time passed, the pain gradually faded.
年を取るにつれて、体力が落ちてきた。
= As I get older, my stamina has declined.
山を登るにつれて、空気が薄くなる。
= As you climb the mountain, the air gets thinner.
経済が発展するにつれて、生活が便利になった。
= As the economy developed, life became more convenient.
Also written 〜につれ (slightly more formal):
少子化が進むにつれ、学校の数が減っている。
= As the declining birthrate progresses, the number of schools is falling.
Key feeling: Gradual, natural, parallel change over time. The second clause is NOT a command or intention — just a natural consequence.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜につれて. 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. 〜につれて describes what kind of change?
- A sudden one-time change
- A hypothetical change
- A change you command someone to make
- A gradual, natural parallel change
Show answer
Answer: A gradual, natural parallel change
につれて = gradual, natural change over time. 時間がたつにつれて = as time passes... The second clause is never a command or intention.
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 〜につれて 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 〜につれて mean?
"As (gradually) X, Y changes too." 時間がたつにつれて = as time passes... Natural, gradual, parallel change — the second clause is never a command or intention.
Is 〜につれて on the JLPT N2 test?
〜につれて 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 〜につれて?
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.