How to tell them apart
に基づいて means a concrete document, data, or rule was used as the actual basis for creating or deciding something, like 設計に基づいて建てられた. によって is far broader: it marks the agent of a passive sentence (ピカソによって描かれた), the means or cause of something, or variation depending on a factor. Swapping them is unnatural because に基づいて always implies a source you consulted and built upon, whereas によって does not require that consultative basis.
- に基づいて/基づく Use に基づいて when something was created or decided using a specific document, data, or rule as its basis.
- によって/より Use によって to mark the agent of a passive sentence, the means, or the cause of an action.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| に基づいて/基づく ni zuite zuku | Founded on, grounded in | N2 |
| によって/より niyotte yori | depending on / caused by / through the use of | N3 |
に基づいて/基づく ni zuite zuku
Founded on, grounded in
に基づく expresses that something is founded on or grounded in particular information, data, or source material, such as facts, experience, or reports. It follows a noun with に, as in データに基づいて and 事実に基づく, and conjugates like a regular u verb with forms such as に基づいた and に基づいている. It sounds formal and written, common in news, business, and academic explanations of decisions or creations.
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実際の出来事に基づいています。
It's based on real events.
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彼は古代神話に基づく小説を書いた。
He wrote a novel based on ancient myths.
によって/より niyotte yori
depending on / caused by / through the use of
によって marks a noun that determines an outcome, causes an event, or serves as the means for an action. It is used for meanings like depending on, because of, and through the use of, as in 人によって or コンピューターによって. It attaches directly to a noun, with により as a more formal written equivalent. It often appears in passive sentences, where it can indicate the agent or cause rather than a neutral tool.
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彼の新しい本によって彼の名声が高まった。
His new book added to his reputation.
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多くの仕事がコンピューターによってなされている。
A lot of jobs are done by computers.
に基づいて/基づく and によって/より are JLPT N3–N2 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.