につれて vs にしたがって: Key Differences

You understand every word in the sentence.

You know what the sentence is generally saying.

But when you look at the answer choices, you still hesitate.

Should you choose につれて (ni tsurete) or にしたがって (ni shitagatte)?

This is a common challenge for learners preparing for the JLPT N3 and N2 levels. The two expressions are similar because both can describe one change that occurs alongside another change.

However, they are not always interchangeable.

The key is to identify whether the sentence describes a gradual change or an action performed according to a rule, instruction, or procedure.

In this article, we will compare the meanings, usage patterns, and nuances of につれて (ni tsurete) and にしたがって (ni shitagatte). You will also learn a practical method for choosing the correct expression in JLPT questions.

The Basic Similarity: As A Changes, B Also Changes

Both につれて (ni tsurete) and にしたがって (ni shitagatte) can express proportional or parallel change.

The basic sentence patterns are:

Aが変化するにつれて、Bも変化する。
As A changes, B also changes.

Aが変化するにしたがって、Bも変化する。
As A changes, B also changes.

The important point is that the sentence usually describes gradual change.

A does not happen only once. It develops little by little, and B changes along with it.

Examples

• 年齢が上がるにつれて、健康に気をつけるようになった。
  As I got older, I started paying more attention to my health.

• 日本語を勉強するにつれて、日本の文化にも興味を持つようになった。
  As I studied Japanese, I also became interested in Japanese culture.

• 時代の変化にしたがって、働き方も多様になっている。
  As the times change, working styles are becoming more diverse.

• 利用者が増えるにしたがって、新しい問題も生まれてきた。
  As the number of users increased, new problems also began to appear.

In all four sentences, one gradual change is connected to another gradual change.

につれて: A Natural Change That Develops Over Time

につれて (ni tsurete) is often used when one change naturally leads to another.

It appears frequently in both everyday communication and written Japanese.

Sentence Patterns

• Verb dictionary form + につれて
• Noun + につれて

Examples

• 春が近づくにつれて、暖かい日が増えてきた。
  As spring approaches, the number of warm days has increased.

• 子どもが成長するにつれて、服のサイズも大きくなる。
  As children grow, their clothing sizes also become larger.

• 日本での生活に慣れるにつれて、友達も増えていった。
  As I became accustomed to life in Japan, I made more friends.

• 時間がたつにつれて、緊張が少しずつ消えていった。
  As time passed, my nervousness gradually faded.

These changes feel natural.

Nobody is intentionally causing spring to approach or time to pass. One development simply accompanies another.

This is the image you should associate with につれて (ni tsurete):

One change unfolds naturally, and another change develops along with it.

にしたがって: A More Objective Way to Describe Connected Change

にしたがって (ni shitagatte) can also describe one gradual change that accompanies another.

Compared with につれて (ni tsurete), it often sounds slightly more formal and objective.

You will frequently see it in news reports, essays, academic texts, business documents, and explanatory passages.

Sentence Patterns

• Verb dictionary form + にしたがって
• Noun + にしたがって

Examples

• 人口が増加するにしたがって、住宅不足が深刻になった。
  As the population increased, the housing shortage became more serious.

• 技術が進歩するにしたがって、仕事の進め方も変わってきた。
  As technology advanced, the way people work also changed.

• 高齢化にしたがって、医療費も増加している。
  As the population ages, medical expenses are also increasing.

• 気温の上昇にしたがって、電力の使用量も増える傾向がある。
  As temperatures rise, electricity consumption also tends to increase.

These sentences explain a relationship between two changes in a calm and objective way.

This is why にしたがって (ni shitagatte) often appears in JLPT reading passages about social trends, science, economics, and statistics.

The Most Important Difference: にしたがって Has Another Meaning

This is the point that often appears in JLPT questions.

にしたがって (ni shitagatte) does not always describe proportional change.

It can also mean:

according to
in accordance with
following

In this usage, someone acts according to a rule, instruction, policy, or procedure.

Examples

• 先生の指示にしたがって、答えを書いてください。
  Please write your answer according to the teacher’s instructions.

• マニュアルにしたがって、機械を操作してください。
  Please operate the machine according to the manual.

• 規則にしたがって、手続きを進めます。
  We will proceed with the process in accordance with the rules.

• 矢印にしたがって、出口まで進んでください。
  Please follow the arrows to the exit.

In these sentences, につれて (ni tsurete) cannot be used.

For example:

先生の指示につれて、答えを書いてください。

This sentence is unnatural.

The teacher’s instructions are not gradually changing. The speaker is asking the listener to follow them.

Whenever you see にしたがって (ni shitagatte), check the sentence carefully:

• Does A gradually change, causing B to change as well?
• Or does someone act according to A?

This simple check can help you avoid many JLPT mistakes.

Compare the Two Expressions

Example 1: A Natural Change

• 暗くなるにつれて、気温も下がってきた。
  As it became darker, the temperature also began to fall.

• 暗くなるにしたがって、気温も下がってきた。
  As it became darker, the temperature also began to fall.

Both sentences are possible.

However, につれて (ni tsurete) feels slightly more natural when describing an everyday change in the environment.

Example 2: A Social Change

• インターネットが普及するにつれて、買い物の方法も変わった。
  As the internet became more widespread, shopping habits also changed.

• インターネットが普及するにしたがって、買い物の方法も変わった。
  As the internet became more widespread, shopping habits also changed.

Both expressions are possible.

The second sentence sounds slightly more objective and is well suited to an explanatory article or report.

Example 3: An Instruction

• 説明書にしたがって、パスワードを設定してください。
  Please set your password according to the instructions.

Only にしたがって (ni shitagatte) is appropriate.

The sentence is not describing two connected changes. It is telling the reader to follow a procedure.

A Three-Step Method for JLPT Questions

When both expressions appear in the answer choices, use the following steps.

Step 1: Does A Change Gradually?

Look for words and phrases such as:

• 年齢が上がる
  to get older

• 人口が増える
  for the population to increase

• 技術が発達する
  for technology to develop

• 気温が下がる
  for the temperature to fall

• 日本語が上達する
  to improve one’s Japanese

If A changes little by little and B also changes, both expressions may be grammatically possible.

Step 2: Is A a Rule, Instruction, or Procedure?

Be careful when you see words such as:

• 指示
  instructions

• 命令
  orders

• 規則
  rules

• 方針
  policy

• 説明書
  instructions or user guide

• マニュアル
  manual

• 手順
  procedure

• 矢印
  arrow

In these cases, the correct answer is usually にしたがって (ni shitagatte).

Step 3: Check the Style of the Passage

For a natural change in everyday life, につれて (ni tsurete) often fits well.

For a formal, objective explanation in a report or reading passage, にしたがって (ni shitagatte) is often more suitable.

However, this is a tendency, not an absolute rule.

Always check the meaning of the whole sentence.

A Common Mistake: Using These Expressions for a One-Time Event

Both につれて (ni tsurete) and にしたがって (ni shitagatte) usually describe gradual change.

They are not normally used when one event happens only once.

Unnatural Example

電車が到着するにつれて、ドアが開いた。
As the train arrived, the doors opened.

The doors open once after the train arrives. This is not a gradual parallel change.

A more natural sentence is:

電車が到着すると、ドアが開いた。
When the train arrived, the doors opened.

Natural Example

駅に近づくにつれて、乗客が降りる準備を始めた。
As the train approached the station, the passengers began preparing to get off.

The train gradually approaches the station, and the passengers gradually change their behavior.

Mini Quiz

Choose the most natural expression for each blank.

Question 1

山を登る（　　　　）、気温が下がってきた。
As we climbed the mountain, the temperature began to fall.

Question 2

係員の指示（　　　　）、順番に並んでください。
Please line up in order according to the staff member’s instructions.

Question 3

経験を積む（　　　　）、難しい仕事も任されるようになった。
As I gained experience, I began to be trusted with more difficult tasks.

Question 4

時代の変化（　　　　）、必要とされる能力も変わっていく。
As the times change, the skills that are needed also change.

Answers and Explanations

Question 1

Answer:

につれて

Climbing a mountain is a gradual process, and the temperature changes along with it.

にしたがって (ni shitagatte) is also grammatically possible, but につれて (ni tsurete) sounds natural in this everyday context.

Question 2

Answer:

にしたがって

The sentence means “according to the staff member’s instructions.”

It does not describe proportional change.

Question 3

Answer:

につれて

As experience increases, the level of responsibility also changes naturally.

にしたがって (ni shitagatte) is also possible, but につれて (ni tsurete) fits the personal and natural development described here.

Question 4

Answer:

にしたがって

につれて (ni tsurete) is also possible.

However, にしたがって (ni shitagatte) suits the objective explanation of a social trend.

Summary: Is It a Gradual Change or an Instruction?

Let us review the key points.

• につれて (ni tsurete) and にしたがって (ni shitagatte) can both describe one change that accompanies another.
• につれて (ni tsurete) is often used for natural changes and everyday situations.
• にしたがって (ni shitagatte) often appears in formal, objective explanations.
• にしたがって (ni shitagatte) can also mean “according to” or “following.”
• Both expressions are usually used for gradual changes, not one-time events.

In JLPT reading questions, understanding the vocabulary is only the first step.

To choose the correct answer, you need to notice small differences in meaning and context.

The good news is that this skill improves with practice.

Build the Skill to Recognize Similar Japanese Grammar Patterns

Reading an explanation once is helpful, but it is not enough to make the difference feel automatic.

RJT (Rapid Japanese Training) helps you strengthen your JLPT skills by answering practical questions one by one and checking why each answer is correct.

Practice identifying subtle differences between similar expressions and become more confident when you face difficult answer choices.

Related grammar guide: JLPT Reason, Cause, and Result Expressions

Improve your JLPT grammar skills with practical questions on RJT