に沿って|にそって

1. 1Along the length or edge of something physical, such as a river, road, or wall.Ex. 1
2. 2In line with or in keeping with a plan, policy, guideline, or wish.Ex. 2

The physical sense is neutral and common in descriptions of scenery, routes, and directions. The abstract sense appears often in business, administrative, and official contexts with nouns such as 計画, 方針, マニュアル, and 希望. In the abstract sense it suggests keeping to a set course without departing from it, a softer idea than strictly obeying an order.

• 1.
  に従ってN3Unlike 「に沿って」, 「に従って」 can attach to a verb's dictionary form to mean 'gradually change along with...' and can also express proportional change; it has no sense of 'along'. When both mean 'according to', they partly overlap, but 「に従って」 typically attaches to rules or commands and carries a nuance of obedience, while 「に沿って」 stresses not deviating from plans or policies.
• 2.
  に基づいてN2「に基づいて」 uses data, facts, laws, etc. as its basis and leans toward written style; 「に沿って」 also means 'along (a path)', and its 'according to' sense focuses on proceeding according to a plan or policy without deviation. Use 「に基づいて」 when drawing conclusions based on data.
• 3.
  に即してN1「に即して」 is written language with no spatial meaning of 'along a road'; it overlaps with 「に沿って」 only in the 'according to' sense: it emphasizes fitting reality, the actual circumstances of something, or complying with legal rules, whereas 「に沿って」 emphasizes advancing according to plans, policies, or expectations without deviating.
• 4.
  を踏まえてN1「を踏まえて」 means taking facts, situations, or existing results into consideration as premises before making judgments or moving forward—unlike 「に沿って」, which follows a plan or policy without deviating; it lacks the 'along' sense, is more formal/written in register, and generally cannot be interchanged with 「に沿って」。
• 5.
  に応じてN2「に応じて」 means adjusting accordingly depending on factors like numbers of people or income levels, or responding to requests and invitations; 「に沿って」 means sticking to a plan or policy without deviating, and additionally has the 'along' sense. Both can attach to 「要望」, but the former emphasizes responding, while the latter emphasizes conforming.

に沿って means keeping in line with a course or plan. By contrast, に従って stresses obeying rules or orders (and can also express proportional change), に基づいて marks a basis or evidence something is built on, and に即して means conforming closely to actual facts or circumstances. を踏まえて means taking something into account as a premise, and に応じて means varying or adjusting in response to something.