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JLPT N3 · Time & sequence

につれて (ni tsurete)

～につれて — as ～ progresses, ～ changes

In short · Shows that as one change goes on, another change goes along with it: “as, along with.” Both halves express change. The first half is a gradual change in progress, and the second shows the resulting change.
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Pattern

  • 動詞辞書形＋につれて verb dictionary form + につれて (登るにつれて)
  • 名詞（変化を表す）＋につれて noun of change + につれて (時間の経過につれて)

Meaning and use

“A につれて B” means B changes together with A as it moves forward bit by bit. The second half often has 〜てくる, 〜ていく or だんだん, as in 山を登るにつれて、寒くなってきた.

Compared with similar forms

It is almost the same as にしたがって and とともに. につれて is for naturally occurring change, and you should not put an intention, command or request in the second half. It shows two changes going on together rather than a strict cause and effect.

Examples

  • 山（やま）を登（のぼ）るにつれて、寒（さむ）くなってきた。

    Yama o noboru ni tsurete, samuku natte kita.

    As I climbed the mountain, it got colder.

    Climbing progresses and the cold increases.

  • 時間（じかん）がたつにつれて、痛（いた）みが消（き）えていった。

    Jikan ga tatsu ni tsurete, itami ga kiete itta.

    As time passed, the pain gradually faded.

    〜ていく shows change continuing.

  • 都市（とし）が発展（はってん）するにつれて、緑（みどり）が減（へ）っていく。

    Toshi ga hatten suru ni tsurete, midori ga hette iku.

    As the city develops, its greenery keeps decreasing.

    Noun-verb (発展する) in dictionary form.

Common mistakes

  • The preceding verb is the dictionary form: × 登ったにつれて, ○ 登るにつれて.
  • No intention or command afterward: × 〜につれて、勉強しよう. Describe the change.

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