とおり
- 1Doing something by following a model or instruction exactly, 'as shown in / according to'.Ex. 1
- 2Indicating that an outcome matches what was said or expected, 'just as'.Ex. 2
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A neutral pattern used in both speech and writing, typical with instructions, plans, predictions, and statements (説明書のとおり, 言ったとおり, 思ったとおり). The adverbial form とおりに modifies a following verb, while とおり alone often introduces a clause stating that something turned out as expected. ように can also express compliance (指示されたようにしてください), but とおり more explicitly stresses exact conformity to the model.
Do not attach とおり directly to a noun without の; say 説明書のとおり, or use the voiced form 説明書どおり.
Note that the form attached directly to a noun is voiced as どおり, as in 予定どおり or 時間どおり.
Note that the verb form matters: 言うとおりにして follows what will be or is being said, while 言ったとおり refers to something already said.
- とおりにN3「とおりに」 is simply 「とおり」 with 「に」 added; it only modifies a following predicate, works with both of 「とおり」's senses, and is interchangeable with 「とおり」 in that use. It cannot modify a noun — for that, say 「とおりの」 + noun.
- ように/ようなN3In 'just as (was) stated' phrases like 「前に述べたように」, and when doing something as demonstrated, 「ように」 can be swapped with 「とおり」, but it does not stress complete agreement. 「ように」 can also express similes and give examples, which 「とおり」 cannot.
- に即してN1「に即して」 is written-style, attaches only to nouns, and means staying true to reality or actual conditions, or acting in accordance with laws and regulations. 「とおり」 is register-neutral, can also attach to verbs, stresses exact agreement with explanations or expectations, and has a 'just as expected' sense that 「に即して」 lacks.
- に照らしてN1「に照らして」 is written style: it uses law, common sense, experience, etc. as a yardstick, comparing against it to make judgments or take action such as disciplinary measures. 「とおり」 is register-neutral and means doing as explained or instructed, or matching expectations, so the two are generally not interchangeable.
- ままN4「とおり」 means matching an explanation, instruction, or expectation ('in accordance with / just as'), while 「まま」 means a state remaining unchanged, as in 「開けたまま出かけた」. 「とおり」 is about whether something meets the standard, 「まま」 about whether the state has changed, so they are generally not interchangeable.
とおりに is simply the adverbial form of this pattern; ように/ような also covers likeness and resemblance, and although ように can express compliance (指示されたように), とおり more clearly stresses matching the model exactly. に即して and に照らして are formal N1 expressions for acting in line with rules or judging against standards, while まま can also mean acting as told (言われるままに行動する), but it suggests passively going along without one's own judgment rather than deliberately matching a model.
