JLPT N3 Grammar – The difference between “〜によって” and “〜によっては”
Table of Contents
1. The 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. Comments
Q: I don’t understand the difference between “〜によって” and “〜によっては”
A: Both are used to express differences depending on factors such as the person, place, time, or situation, but the meaning they convey is slightly different. In this article, we’ll look at the difference between the two through example sentences.
※”〜によって”can also be used to express meanings such as cause, means/method, and the agent in a passive sentence. In this article, however, we will focus on the usage meaning “B changes depending on A.”
AによってB (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
B differs or changes depending on A
[Rules]
[N] Noun＋によって
* The form “により…” is also commonly used.
* You can also end a sentence with “N による.” In this case, it means that something differs depending on the person or situation.
[Examples]
髪の長さによってカットの値段が変わります。
The price of the haircut changes depending on the length of the hair.
収入によって支払う税金の額は変わります。
The amount of tax you pay changes depending on your income.
食事のマナーは国により異なります。
Table manners vary from country to country.
好きな音楽のジャンルは人によります。
Musical preferences vary from person to person.
With “AによってB,” there are multiple types or possibilities for A.
When A changes, B changes accordingly.
[Example]
髪の長さによってカットの値段が変わります。
The price of the haircut changes depending on the length of the hair.
⇒ If the hair length (A) changes, for example from short to long, the price (B) also changes.
[Example]
先生によって日本語の教え方はいろいろです。
The way Japanese is taught varies depending on the teacher.
⇒ If the teacher is different, the teaching style (B), such as how things are explained or how the lesson is conducted, will also be different.
AによってはB (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
In some cases within A, B applies
[Rule]
[N] Noun＋によっては
*Often used with nouns such as 人 (person), 場所 (place), 国 (country), 日 (day), 時間 (time), 状況 (situation), 場合 (case), where multiple types or possibilities can be considered.
[Examples]
人によっては週6日働く人もいます。
Some people work six days a week.
国によっては税金がとても高いところもあります。
In some countries, taxes are very high.
明日は休みですが、場合によっては出勤しなければなりません。
Tomorrow is a day off, but in some cases, I may have to go to work.
店によってはペットを連れて入ってもいいところもあります。
Some stores allow pets inside.
With “AによってはB,” we are not describing A as a whole.
Instead, we focus on certain cases within A and indicate that “this can also happen in some cases.”
[Example]
人によっては週6日働く人もいます。
Some people work six days a week.
⇒ Not everyone works six days a week. However, there are some people who do.
Here, we are focusing on only some people within the larger group of “people.”
[Example]
環状線はいつも込んでいるけど、時間によっては空いているときもあります。
The loop line is usually crowded, but at certain times, it is less crowded.
⇒ It’s usually crowded, but at certain times it’s not. “Being less crowded” is considered a special case.
Let’s Compare
Let’s compare the following two sentences.
① 曜日によってランチメニューが変わります。
The lunch menu changes depending on the day of the week.
Monday → Menu A
Tuesday → Menu B
Wednesday → Menu C
As shown above, when the day of the week changes, the menu changes accordingly.
In other words, the lunch menu is different depending on the day of the week.
② 曜日によってはランチメニューがありません。
On certain days, there is no lunch menu.
This sentence is not describing every day of the week.
Monday → Lunch menu available
Tuesday → Lunch menu available
Wednesday → No lunch menu
As shown above, it means that there are some days of the week when no lunch menu is available.
Summary
[AによってB]
- When A is different, B also differs or changes accordingly.
- The key point is that B differs for each A.
[AによってはB]
- In some cases within A, B applies.
- The key point is that the sentence focuses on certain cases within A, rather than A as a whole.
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.
A. によっては
いつも人気のレストランですが、日によっては空いている日もあります。
It’s usually a popular restaurant, but on some days, it’s not crowded.
*“によっては” is correct because the sentence is referring to some days, rather than all days.
A. によっては
ほとんどの社員が朝9時に来ますが、社員によっては朝7時に来る人もいます。
Most employees come in at 9 AM, but some employees come in at 7 AM.
*“によっては” is correct because the sentence is referring to some employees, rather than employees as a whole.
A. によって
季節によって富士山の見え方が変わるので、おもしろいです。
The view of Mt. Fuji changes depending on the season, which makes it interesting.
*“によって” is correct because the view of Mt. Fuji changes according to the season.
A. により
このレストランは曜日によりメニューを変更しています。
This restaurant changes its menu depending on the day of the week.
*“により” is correct because the sentence expresses that the menu changes according to the day of the week.
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