How to tell them apart
ようになる describes a change that happens on its own or as a result you did not directly control, while ようにする means someone intentionally makes an effort to bring about a state or habit. 話せるようになる means you became able to speak through practice, whereas 話すようにする means you make yourself speak on purpose. Swapping them sounds odd because one reports an outcome and the other reports a deliberate effort.
- ようになる Use ようになる when a new state or ability has been reached through gradual change.
- ようにする Use ようにする when you intentionally make an effort or habit to do something.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| ようになる youninaru | Gradually reach the stage where something becomes possible | N4 |
| ようにする younisuru | Make an effort to do; aim to do | N4 |
ようになる youninaru
Gradually reach the stage where something becomes possible
ようになる expresses a change of state, saying that someone has come to or will come to be able to do something. It attaches to the potential (or plain) form of a verb, as in 話せるようになる. The examples show it used with abilities that develop over time.
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そのうち英語が上手に話せるようになるでしょう。
You will soon learn to speak English well.
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あなたはすぐに英語が話せるようになるでしょう。
You will be able to speak English soon.
ようにする younisuru
Make an effort to do; aim to do
ようにする expresses making an effort or forming a habit of doing something, like 'make sure to' or 'try to'. It attaches to a plain-form verb (or verb + ない). The tone is casual in these examples, often ending in よ or んだよ.
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これからは、思ったことを言うようにするよ。
From now on, I'm going to say what's on my mind.
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トムより先に着くようにするんだよ。
Try to get there before Tom.
ようになる and ようにする are both JLPT N4 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.