JLPT N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜によって” and “〜によっては”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜によって” and “〜によっては”
2. AによってB
3. AによってはB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: I don’t understand the difference between “〜によって” and “〜によっては”

A: Both “〜によって” and “〜によっては” imply that something changes depending on various conditions or situations. However, “〜によって” expresses general changes based on different conditions, while “〜によっては” indicates a specific or exceptional situation limited to certain conditions.
Let’s take a closer look at each one.

AによってB (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
B changes, differs, or varies depending on A.

[Rules]
[N] Noun＋によって　
*The form “により…” is also frequently used.
*The form “Nによる。” can also be used as a standalone sentence. In this case, it implies changes, differs, or varies without the need for a verb.

[Examples]
髪かみの長ながさによってカットの値段ねだんが変かわります。
The price of the haircut changes depending on the length of the hair.

収入しゅうにゅうによって支払しはらう税金ぜいきんの額がくは変かわります。
The amount of tax you pay changes depending on your income.

食事しょくじのマナーは国くににより異ことなります。
Table manners vary by country.

好すきな音楽おんがくのジャンルは人ひとによります。
The preferred music genre varies from person to person.

Various types of words can be used with A. It expresses that depending on A, B changes or there are different possibilities.

AによってはB (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
In certain cases of ~

[Rule]
[N] Noun＋によっては
*Commonly used nouns: 人ひと(person), 場所ばしょ(place), 国くに(country), 日ひ(day), 時間じかん(time), 状況じょうきょう(situation), 場合ばあい(case)

[Examples]
人ひとによっては週しゅう6日か働はたらく人ひともいます。
Some people work six days a week, depending on the person.

国くにによっては税金ぜいきんがとても高たかいところもあります。
In some countries, taxes can be very high.

明日あしたは休やすみですが、場合ばあいによっては出勤しゅっきんしなければなりません。
Tomorrow is a day off, but in some cases, I might have to go to work.

店みせによってはペットを連つれて入はいってもいいところもあります。
Some stores allow pets inside.

You can use various types of words for “A,” and in “B,” you highlight a specific example or situation within “A.”

Let’s Compare

Here are two sentences, both of which are correct. It may be a little difficult, but let’s think about the difference.

In the case of sentence ①, it expresses a change in response (B) as “changing.”
However, in the case of sentence ②, it conveys a special situation (B), where “normally, the lunch menu is prepared, but there are days when it isn’t.”

Summary

[AによってB]

• You can use words that express various types, indicating that responses to a situation may differ or that there are different possibilities.

[AによってはB]

• This can also be used with words expressing various types, but it’s specifically applied when highlighting one special example or situation from among them.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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