At a glance
～にしたがって has two uses. After a verb it means "as": one change happens along with another. After a noun such as a rule or an instruction, it means "following" or "in accordance with".
[Verb dictionary form] にしたがって、[gradual change]
[Noun: rule, plan, instruction] にしたがって、[action]
町が大きくなるにしたがって、交通も便利になりました。 As the town grew bigger, transport also became more convenient.
How to form it
| Attaches to | Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verb | Dictionary form + にしたがって | 年を取るにしたがって | As (someone) gets older |
| Noun (rule, plan, instruction) | Noun + にしたがって | 地図にしたがって | Following the map |
| い-adjective | Adj stem + く + なる + にしたがって | 寒くなるにしたがって | As it gets colder |
| な-adjective | Adj + に + なる + にしたがって | 上手になるにしたがって | As (someone) gets better |
| Written style | にしたがい | 規則にしたがい | In accordance with the rules |
The verb stays in the dictionary form even when the whole sentence is in the past.