How to tell them apart
につれて and に従って both link two changes happening together, but につれて focuses on a natural parallel shift where one change tracks another, like 成長するにつれて親から離れていく. に従って tends to emphasize a proportional or rule-like correspondence, often with measurable quantities, as in 収入が増えるに従って支出も増える. Swapping them is not always wrong, but に従って sounds heavier and more formal, so it feels unnatural for simple seasonal or emotional shifts where につれて is the default.
- につれて/つれ Use につれて when two changes naturally unfold side by side, especially emotional or seasonal shifts.
- に従って/従い Use に従って when one change follows another in a proportional, rule-like, or measurable way.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| につれて/つれ nitsurete tsure | As something changes; along with it; also take someone along | N3 |
| に従って/従い ni tte i | Following, in line with; as (something changes) | N3 |
につれて/つれ nitsurete tsure
As something changes; along with it; also take someone along
につれて expresses that one change happens together with another, meaning 'as' or 'along with'. It attaches to the plain form of a verb, typically one describing a change such as なる or 近づく. The shortened form つれ appears in the compound つれていく, meaning to take someone along to a place.
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陽気が寒くなるにつれて彼の具合がますます悪くなった。
As the weather became colder, he went from bad to worse.
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彼は父に、その店へつれていってくれるように頼んだ。
He asked his father to take him to the store.
に従って/従い ni tte i
Following, in line with; as (something changes)
に従って (or its slightly more formal form 従い) follows a noun and means to act in line with that noun, such as a plan, advice, or custom. It can also follow a verb to mean 'as' something changes, showing that one thing progresses along with another.
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彼は前もってたてられた計画に従って９時に来た。
He arrived at nine in accordance with a prearranged plan.
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人は金持ちになるに従ってけちになりがちである。
Accordingly as people become rich, they are apt to be stingy.
につれて/つれ and に従って/従い are both JLPT N3 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.