JLPT N2・N3 Grammar – The difference between “〜に従って” and “〜に沿って”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “〜に従したがって” and “〜に沿そって”
2. Aに従したがってB
3. Aに沿そってB
4. 〜に従したがって VS 〜に沿そって
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “〜に従したがって” and “〜に沿そって”?

A: “〜に従したがって” and “〜に沿そって” are similar expressions, so many people may think they have the same meaning. However, their usage and meanings are actually quite different. Let’s look at each of them in detail.

Aに従したがってB (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
When A changes, B also changes accordingly

[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary form + に従したがって
[N] Noun of a する verb + に従したがって

[Examples]　
人ひとが増ふえるに従したがって、町まちもにぎやかになりました。

As the population increases, the town becomes more lively.

技術ぎじゅつが発展はってんするに従したがって、生活せいかつは便利べんりになりました。

As technology advances, life becomes more convenient.

年としを取とるに従したがって、健康けんこうの大切たいせつさが分わかってきます。

As people get older, they come to understand the importance of health.

In this grammar pattern, words that express change are often used in both A and B.
Also, B usually represents a natural change rather than the speaker’s intention.

[Examples]　
夕方ゆうがたになるに従したがって、空そらが暗くらくなってきました。
As evening approaches, the sky becomes darker.

テストの日ひが近ちかづくに従したがって、緊張きんちょうしてきました。
As the test day approaches, I am becoming more nervous.

時代じだいが進すすむに従したがって、便利べんりなものが増ふえていきます。
As times progress, convenient things increase.

Aに沿そってB (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
To do B without deviating from A

[Rule]
[N] Noun + に沿そって

[Examples]
線路せんろに沿そって歩あるきます。
I walk along the railway tracks.

お客きゃく様さまのご希望きぼうに沿そって計画けいかくを作つくります。
We create plans according to the customer’s wishes.

計画けいかくに沿そって工事こうじが進すすめられています。
Construction is proceeding according to the plan.

In this grammar pattern, A serves as the standard, and B is done without deviating from it.
Therefore, B often includes the intention or judgment of the speaker or someone else.

Also, words such as “expectations,” “requests,” “policies,” and “manuals” are often used in A, expressing actions taken in accordance with them.

[Examples]　
この線せんに沿そって並ならんでください。
Please line up along this line.

このマニュアルに沿そってやってください。
Please follow this manual.

会社かいしゃの方針ほうしんに沿そって働はたらいてください。
Please work according to the company’s policy.

Let’s Compare

Let’s compare them using the same word, “時代じだい.”

Here, it means that fashion changes naturally in response to changes in the times.
In other words, it expresses a natural flow: changes in the times → changes in fashion.

In this case, it means that someone consciously changes their fashion so that it does not fall behind the times.
The key point is that the action is based on a person’s intention.

Summary

[Aに従したがってB]

• It expresses that when A changes, B also changes.
• Words that express change or non-volitional verbs are often used in both A and B.
• B is often a natural change.

[Aに沿そってB]

• It expresses doing B without deviating from A.
• Words such as “requests,” “policies,” and “manuals” are often used in A.
• B includes the intention of the speaker or someone else.

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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