にしたがって
- 1As one situation progresses or changes, another changes along with it.Ex. 1
- 2Following or obeying something such as rules, instructions, or directions.
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Common in both speech and writing, and slightly more formal than everyday conversational links. In sense 1, both clauses describe gradual, ongoing change, as with age or tightening laws. The connective form にしたがい appears mainly in written texts and announcements. Unlike につれて, it also carries the "follow/obey" meaning.
Do not use sense 1 for a single, one-off change; both clauses must describe gradual, continuing change.
Learners sometimes confuse it with the sentence-initial conjunction したがって, which means "therefore" and does not follow a verb or noun.
- につれてN3「につれて」 has only the 'as ~ changes' meaning, and in that sense it is basically interchangeable with 「にしたがって」: both attach the same way and both require the preceding phrase to express a gradual change. The 'in accordance with' sense (e.g., 「指示にしたがって」) cannot be replaced with 「につれて」.
- に伴ってN2「に伴って」 is close only to the 'as ~ changes' sense and has no 'in accordance with' meaning. It is more formal and officialese: the preceding item can also be a one-time event such as a relocation or a change, in announcements the following clause can also be a request, and for gradual change the two are interchangeable.
- に沿ってN2「に沿って」 attaches only to nouns and has no 'as ~ changes' sense. The two are similar only in the 'in accordance with' meaning: 「にしたがって」 emphasizes obeying instructions or rules, 「に沿って」 emphasizes not deviating from a plan or policy, and it can also mean 'along,' as in a river or road.
- に即してN1「に即して」 is similar only in the 'in accordance with' sense, and the two are interchangeable when complying with laws or rules; however, it is written-style, attaches only to nouns, and can also mean 'in line with reality or actual circumstances.' For following instructions or orders, 「にしたがって」 is the usual choice.
- に基づいてN2「に基づいて」 is close only to the 'in accordance with' sense: it attaches to things like data, facts, or laws and regulations to state the basis for a judgment or action, in a written style, whereas 「にしたがって」 means acting in compliance with instructions or orders. When attached to rules the two are often interchangeable, but the 'as ~ changes' sense cannot use 「に基づいて」.
につれて shares the "as X, Y" sense but cannot mean "follow/obey", and に伴って is more formal and can also mark a one-time accompanying change. に沿って (along, in line with a plan or route), に即して (in conformity with facts or circumstances), and に基づいて (based on data or grounds) express guidance or basis, not proportional change.
