につれて
As, Along with
The pattern につれて expresses a proportional relationship: 'As A changes, B also changes.' It is used for gradual, natural progressions that happen at the same time.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Usage
につれて is used to show that as one situation progresses (A), another situation changes along with it (B). It is often translated as 'as,' 'along with,' or 'in proportion to.' It is similar to に従って.
2. Grammatical Structure
- Verbs: Use the Dictionary Form (e.g., 行く、変わる). The verb must describe a process of change.
- Nouns: Use nouns that imply movement or development (e.g., 発展、成長).
3. Key Characteristics
- Unidirectional Change: It is used for things that move in one direction (e.g., getting older, the sun rising). It is generally not used for things that fluctuate up and down rapidly.
- Natural Progression: It describes a natural result rather than a planned or intentional action.
- No Will or Command: The second clause cannot contain a command, request, or the speaker's intention. It must be a natural consequence.
- Formal Variant: In formal writing or news, you may see につれ (the stem form), which carries the same meaning.
Examples (4)
- 年を取るにつれて、忘れっぽくなってきた。
As I get older, I’ve become more forgetful.
Word by Word: Year take as-along-with, forgetful become-came.
The change of 'getting older' (A) naturally leads to the change of 'becoming forgetful' (B).
- 町の発展につれて、自然が少なくなっていった。
As the town developed, nature gradually disappeared.
Word by Word: Town's development along-with, nature (subject) little become-went.
Here, につれて follows a noun (発展 - development) that implies a process of change.
- 台風が近づくにつれて、風が強くなっている。
As the typhoon approaches, the wind is getting stronger.
Word by Word: Typhoon (subject) approach as-along-with, wind (subject) strong becoming-is.
The physical movement of the typhoon (A) causes a proportional increase in wind speed (B).
- 日本語が上手になるにつれて、日本での生活が楽しくなった。
As I became better at Japanese, life in Japan became more enjoyable.
Word by Word: Japanese (subject) skillful become as-along-with, Japan in life (subject) enjoyable became.
The gradual improvement in language ability correlates with the gradual increase in life satisfaction.
Common Mistakes
Using static verbs that do not show change.
昼ご飯を食べるにつれて、お腹がいっぱいになった。食べる量が増えるにつれて、お腹がいっぱいになった。につれて requires a verb that shows a process or progression. 'Eating lunch' is an action, but 'the amount eaten increasing' is a progression of change.
Using it for a single, non-gradual event.
卒業するにつれて、寂しくなった。卒業の日が近づくにつれて、寂しくなった。Graduation (卒業) is a single point in time. につれて needs a duration or a process, like 'the day of graduation approaching.'
Using a command, request, or invitation in the second clause.
寒くなるにつれて、コートを着てください。寒くなるにつれて、コートを着る人が増えた。The second clause of a につれて sentence must describe a natural result or change. It cannot be used to express the speaker's will, a command, a request, or an invitation.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'につれて', you need to know how the particle 'に' and the 'て' form function to connect ideas. This pattern specifically describes a proportional change where as one thing changes, another changes along with it, so familiarity with verbs of change and basic sentence structure is required.
- て形Te-form
The pattern uses the 'て' form of the verb 'つれる' (to accompany), which is essential for understanding how the two clauses are linked.
Level 2 - なるTo Become
Since 'につれて' describes a gradual change tracking another, understanding verbs of change like 'なる' is fundamental to using this pattern correctly.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- に従ってIn Accordance with
Very similar and often interchangeable, but に従って is more formal and can also be used for following rules or instructions.
Level 3 - に伴ってAccompanying
Focuses on B being a consequence of A, whereas につれて focuses more on the proportional, gradual speed of the change.
Level 3 - とともにTogether with
Means 'together with' or 'at the same time.' It is broader and doesn't always require the 'proportional change' nuance.
Level 3 - 〜ば〜ほどThe More...the More
Also expresses 'the more... the more,' but focuses on the degree of a quality rather than the simultaneous progression of time or events.
Level 3 - てくるCome to Do/Gradual Change
Often used in the second half of a につれて sentence to indicate a change that has been progressing toward the present.
Level 2 - ていくGo on Doing/Gradual Change
Often used in the second half of a につれて sentence to indicate a change that will continue into the future.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice につれて in Bubblegum
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