JLPT N3 Grammar – Two Uses of “〜とともに”
Table of Contents
1. Two Uses of “〜とともに”
2. AとともにB①
3. AとともにB②
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments
Q: How do you use “〜とともに”?
A: The expression “〜とともに” has several meanings, but here we will explain two main ones:
① Simultaneity / Coexistence and ② Correlation.
AとともにB① (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
Expresses that one event occurs almost at the same time as another
[Rule]
[N] Noun + とともに
[Examples]
ベルの音とともに、乗客は電車に駆け込みました。
At the sound of the bell, the passengers rushed into the train.
試合終了とともに、観客たちは大きな歓声をあげました。
When the game ended, the spectators burst into loud cheers.
プロジェクトが成功して、うれしさとともに感謝の気持ちがこみあげました。
With the success of the project, feelings of joy and gratitude welled up inside me.
“AとともにB” means that when event A occurs, event B happens almost at the same time.
[Examples]
音楽とともに、俳優が舞台に登場しました。
Together with the sound of music, the actor appeared on stage.
A (first event): The loud music plays
B (simultaneous event): The actor appears on stage
コンサートの終了とともに、観客たちは「アンコール！」と叫びました。
When the concert ended, the audience shouted, “Encore!”
この映画を見ると、感動とともに涙が出てきます。
When I watch this movie, tears come to my eyes along with deep emotion.
In addition, “〜とともに” can also be used to express the coexistence or dual nature of two things (parallel or dual aspects).
[Examples]
この町は歴史とともに、現代の文化も息づいています。
This town is alive with both history and modern culture.
インターネットの普及とともに、情報管理のリスクも高まっています。
Along with the spread of the Internet, the risks of information management have also increased.
留学生活は学びとともに、多くの出会いと成長の機会を与えてくれます。
Studying abroad offers not only learning but also many encounters and opportunities for growth.
AとともにB② (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
An expression that indicates when one thing changes, the other also changes along with it.
[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary form + とともに
[N] Noun + とともに
[Commonly used words]
Words expressing change: 増加 (increase), 減少 (decrease), 発展 (development), 進化 (evolution), etc.
Abstract nouns indicating change or progress: 社会 (society), 経済 (economy), 技術 (technology), 年齢 (age), 季節 (season), etc.
[Examples]
年を取るとともに、体力が少しずつ落ちてきました。
As we get older, our physical strength gradually declines.
経済の発展とともに、人々の生活も豊かになりました。
Along with the development of the economy, people’s lives have become richer.
子どもたちは成長とともに、親から独立していくものです。
As children grow up, they naturally become independent from their parents.
It expresses that “as A changes, B also changes along with it” — in other words, when A changes, B gradually changes as well.
[Examples]
太陽が昇るとともに、空が明るくなっていきました。
As the sun rose, the sky gradually became brighter.
A (Change 1): The sun rises
B (Change 2): The sky becomes brighter
春の訪れとともに、あちこちで花が咲き始めました。
With the arrival of spring, flowers began to bloom here and there.
時代の変化とともに、ファッションも変わっていきます。
As times change, fashion also evolves.
*This pattern is often used to describe natural progressions or flows of change, such as the passage of time or the development of society.
Let’s Compare
Let’s think about whether the following sentences express ① simultaneity/coexistence or ② correlation.
[Example]
太鼓の音とともに、花火が打ち上げられました。
Correct answer: ① Simultaneity
This means that the fireworks were launched almost at the same time as the sound of the drum.
Now, how about the following sentence?
[Example]
気温が高くなるとともに、Tシャツを着る人が増えていきます。
Correct answer: ② Correlation
Both A and B express change: as the temperature rises, people’s clothing also changes — more people begin to wear T-shirts.
[Example]
時代の変化とともに、人々の価値観も変わりました。
As the times changed, people’s values also changed.
技術の進歩とともに、新しい産業も生まれました。
Along with the advancement of technology, new industries emerged.
As shown above, “〜とともに” can be used both to express simultaneity — when two things happen at the same time — and correlation, when one change occurs alongside another.
Summary
[AとともにB ① Simultaneity / Coexistence]
- Simultaneity: Indicates that when event A occurs, event B happens almost at the same time.
- Coexistence (Parallel / Dual Aspect): Expresses that two things exist together or that something has two aspects simultaneously.
[AとともにB ② Correlation]
- Indicates that as A changes, B also changes.
- Used to show a relationship where “when A changes, B gradually changes as well.”
- When expressing correlation, both A and B typically include words that denote change—such as increase, decrease, or development—or abstract nouns that suggest change or progress, such as society, technology, age, or era.
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