JLPT N3・N4 Grammar – Difference between “〜ことになる” and “〜ことになっている”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜ことになる” and “〜ことになっている”
2. 〜ことになる
3. 〜ことになっている
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: Is there a difference between “〜ことになる” and “〜ことになっている”?
A: Both express “a decision” or “a result,” but their meanings differ.
“〜ことになる” is used to show ① something that naturally turns out that way based on circumstances, or ② a decision or result determined by external factors.
On the other hand, “〜ことになっている” refers to rules, customs, or schedules that have been established within a society or organization.
〜ことになる (JLPT N4)
[Meaning ①]
Based on certain circumstances or situations, it naturally turns out that way
[Rule]
[V] Verb plain form + ことになる
[N] Noun + という + ことになる
[Examples]
このパーティーには大人が3人、子どもが5人来るので、参加者は合計8人ということになります。
Since three adults and five children will come to this party, there will be a total of eight participants.
試験に落ちたので、結局来年もう一度受けることになります。
Because I failed the exam, I will end up taking it again next year.
このままでは準備が間に合わないので、結局徹夜することになります。
If things stay as they are, I will have to stay up all night to finish the preparations.
It is used in the same sense as “in the end / as a result,” when you want to say that something naturally turns out that way based on a certain situation.
This sentence pattern is often used with conditional or causal clauses such as “〜たら” or “〜ば” to describe the resulting outcome.
[Examples]
何も考えないで行動すると、失敗することになるでしょう。
If you act without thinking, you will end up failing.
誰も参加してくれないなら、今年は参加者0ということになります。
If no one joins, it means there will be zero participants this year.
若いときに苦労しなかったら、将来苦労することになります。
If you don’t work hard when you are young, you will have a hard time in the future.
[Meaning ②]
It is decided that someone will (or will not) do something
[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary form / ない form + ことになる
[Examples]
来月から日本に出張することになりました。
It has been decided that I will go on a business trip to Japan starting next month.
毎週あった会議をしないことになりました。
It has been decided that the weekly meetings will no longer be held.
It is used to express a decision or result that was made due to external factors, rather than the speaker’s own will.
When referring to a finalized decision, it is often used in the past tense form (～ことになった).
[Examples]
来月から、運賃が10円上がることになりました。
Starting next month, the fare will increase by 10 yen.
⇒ This indicates that the price increase was decided by the railway company.
国の政策で、日本の小学校でも英語を勉強することになりました。
Due to national policy, English will now be taught in Japanese elementary schools as well.
このレストランでは、全席でたばこが吸えないことになりました。
At this restaurant, smoking is no longer allowed at any of the tables.
大雨のため、試合が行われないことになりました。
Because of the heavy rain, it has been decided that the match will not be held.
〜ことになっている (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
It indicates that something has been decided as a rule or schedule
[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary form / ない form + ことになっている
[Examples]
この語学学校では、母語を使ってはいけないことになっています。
At this language school, it is decided that students are not allowed to use their native language.
社員は全員、名札を付けることになっています。
All employees are required to wear name tags.
It is used to describe rules, customs, or schedules that have been established in society or within an organization.
When explaining rules, it is often used together with expressions such as “〜してもいい” (it is allowed), “〜してはいけない” (it is prohibited), or “〜しなければならない” (it is necessary).
For a more formal or polite tone, “こととなっている” is used instead.
[Examples]
この会社では、年に一度、健康診断を受けることになっています。
At this company, it is decided that employees must undergo a health check once a year.
⇒ This indicates that the company has established a rule requiring employees to take a health check.
法律により、道路でたばこを吸ってはいけないことになっています。
By law, smoking on the street is prohibited.
イベントのお申し込みには、事前にご連絡いただくことになっています。
For event applications, it is required that you contact us in advance.
Let’s Compare
Both “〜ことになる” and “〜ことになっている” share the meaning of “a decision being made,” but they differ in nuance.
Let’s read the following sentences and think about the difference.
[Examples]
① テストのときに、紙の辞書を使ってもいいことになりました。
② テストのときに、紙の辞書を使ってもいいことになっています。
Sentence ① expresses that a new decision was made at a certain point and will be carried out from now on.
Sentence ② indicates that the decision was made in the past and has already become an established rule or custom.
Let’s look at one more example. Which of the following sounds more natural?
[Examples]
① 日本にいるあいだは、在留カードを持つことになりました。
② 日本にいるあいだは、在留カードを持つことになっています。
The correct answer is ②.
Because there is already an established rule in Japan that foreign residents must carry a residence card, “〜ことになっている” is the natural choice.
Summary
[〜ことになる]
There are two main uses of “〜ことになる”:
- ① It indicates that something naturally turns out that way based on certain circumstances or conditions.
It has a similar meaning to “in the end / as a result,” and is used when something is seen as a natural outcome from a given situation.
It is often used together with conditional or causal clauses such as “～たら” or “～ば” to describe a resulting situation. - ② It expresses that something has been decided to happen.
It is used when the decision or result is determined by an external factor rather than the speaker’s own will.
When referring to a finalized decision, it is often used in the past tense form “～ことになった.” - This form is used to show that a newly decided matter will be carried out from now on.
[〜ことになっている]
- This expression indicates rules, customs, or schedules that have been established in society or within an organization.
- It is often used together with phrases such as “～してもいい,” “～してはいけない,” or “～しなければならない” when describing regulations.
- For a more formal or polite tone, “こととなっている” is used instead.
- It expresses a state in which something that has already been decided has become a fixed rule or established custom.
Similer Articles
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