につれて
- 1As one situation changes or progresses, another changes correspondingly and gradually.Ex. 1
- 2With the progress of an action, a resulting ability or state develops step by step.Ex. 2
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Used in both speech and writing to describe two linked, gradual changes, such as seasons, growth, or skill development. The first clause typically has a verb of change (近づく, 増える, 慣れる), and the main clause describes the resulting change. It is close to にしたがって, while に伴って is more formal and common in news and official writing.
Do not use につれて with a one-time, instantaneous event; both clauses should express gradual, continuing change.
Note that the main clause normally describes a natural change, not the speaker's intention, request, or command.
Learners should attach nouns only if they imply change (成長, 変化), not ordinary nouns like 学校 or 本.
- に伴ってN2「に伴って」 can also express gradual, linked change, in which case it is interchangeable with 「につれて」, but it sounds more formal and solemn. It can also describe situations arising from one-time events such as moving or changes, and in announcements the following clause can be a request — none of which 「につれて」 allows.
- にしたがってN3When meaning 'as something progresses', 「にしたがって」 is basically interchangeable with 「につれて」, with the same conjugation and restrictions. It also has a separate meaning of 'in accordance with / following', as in 「指示にしたがって」, where it cannot be replaced with 「につれて」.
- と共にN3For gradual, linked change, 「と共に」 can be swapped with 「につれて」, but it has a more written/literary feel. 「と共に」 can also mean 'together with', 'simultaneously', or 'having both qualities at once' — uses 「につれて」 does not have.
- 〜ば〜ほどN2「〜ば〜ほど」 usually repeats the same word (ba-form + dictionary form + ほど), and can be shortened to 'dictionary form + ほど'; it attaches to verbs, adjectives, and nouns, emphasizing that the higher the degree, the more evident the result. 「につれて」 focuses on the process of gradual change.
- につけN2「につけ」 means that whenever one sees, hears, or thinks of something, a feeling naturally arises; it is also used in 「何かにつけ」 and does not express gradual change, whereas 「につれて」 describes two things changing gradually in sync. The two cannot be interchanged, and 「につけ」 leans toward written style.
Like につれて, にしたがって and に伴って express proportional change, but に伴って is more formal and can also mark a single accompanying event, and にしたがって can also mean "following (rules or instructions)"; と共に can also simply mean "together with." 〜ば〜ほど stresses "the more…, the more…" with a conditional structure, while につけ means "whenever" and does not express gradual change.
