に従って

に従って connects a noun or the non-past dictionary form of a verb to a resulting action or state. Note that past tense forms (e.g., 変化したに従って) are ungrammatical, even if the result clause is in the past tense.

1. Compliance/Obedience:
When used with nouns like 規則（きそく — rules）, 指示（しじ — instructions）, 計画（けいかく — plan）, or directly following a person (e.g., 先生に従って — following the teacher), it means 'following' or 'obeying' those standards or individuals. It implies strict adherence to formal standards, laws, rules, or the will of another. In this usage, it is almost always written in kanji (に従って). Note for English speakers: Because 'obey' takes a direct object in English, learners often mistakenly use the object particle を (e.g., 規則を従って). However, the root verb 従う is intransitive, so it must take the particle に (Noun + に従って).
Example: 規則に従って行動する（きそくにしたがってこうどうする — To act in accordance with the rules）.

2. Corresponding Change:
When used with verbs of change or nouns representing a process (typically する-verb nouns that inherently imply change, such as 変化（へんか — change） or 成長（せいちょう — growth）), it describes a steady correlation where B changes in response to A. Importantly, both the cause and the result must be gradual processes or changes; it cannot be used for single, instantaneous events. Unlike につれて, which often describes natural, spontaneous changes and cannot be followed by expressions of intention, に従って allows the speaker to express a planned or intentional action in the result clause (e.g., 'As the number of students increases, we plan to hire more teachers'). Furthermore, while につれて is restricted to one-directional changes, に従って can also be used for two-directional or fluctuating changes (such as 増減（ぞうげん — increase/decrease）). Note that while に伴って is a close formal synonym for this 'Corresponding Change' usage, it cannot be used for the 'Compliance/Obedience' meaning. In formal, business, or legal writing, 従って is still heavily used in kanji for all meanings, and only the conjunction meaning 'therefore' (したがって) is strictly required to be written in hiragana.

3. Following a Path:
It can also be used to mean following a physical line or path, such as a road or directional flow. However, there is a crucial 'Action vs. State' distinction between に従って and に沿って. に従って inherently requires an action of movement (e.g., 道に従って進む（みちにしたがってすすむ — to proceed following the road）) and cannot be used to describe a static state. In contrast, に沿って can describe static states (e.g., 川に沿って道が続いている（かわにそってみちがつづいている — the road continues along the river）). Like the compliance usage, this is typically written in kanji.

Morphology:

• Usage 1 (Compliance): Noun + に従って / にしたがって
• Usage 2 (Corresponding Change): Verb (Non-past Dictionary Form) / Noun (change-related) + に従って / にしたがって
• Noun Modification: 〜に従った + Noun (e.g., マニュアルに従った対応 — response in accordance with the manual)

In very formal writing or speeches, the form に従い is often used instead of に従って. This is the written continuative form. Note that the conjunction したがって (therefore) is used independently at the start of a sentence and should not be confused with this pattern.