Change and correspondence

～につれて

as ...; in step with (one change leading to another)

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How to form it

  • Verb (dictionary form) + につれて
  • Noun (a change) + につれて

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Says that as one thing gradually changes, another thing changes along with it. Both parts describe change over time.

Both sides are natural, gradual developments. The second clause cannot be a request, an order or the speaker's will.

Examples

  1. 日本語が上達するにつれて、日本の文化にも興味が湧いてきた。

    にほんごがじょうたつするにつれて、にほんのぶんかにもきょうみがわいてきた。

    As my Japanese improved, I grew interested in Japanese culture too.

  2. 年を取るにつれて、体力が落ちてきた。

    としをとるにつれて、たいりょくがおちてきた。

    As I got older, my stamina declined.

  3. 町が発展するにつれて、人口も増えた。

    まちがはってんするにつれて、じんこうもふえた。

    As the town developed, its population also grew.

Compare with

  • ～にしたがって: にしたがって can also mean 'in accordance with' and can be followed by an action; につれて is only for parallel change.
  • ～に応じて: に応じて ties the result to the size of a condition rather than to change over time.

Common mistakes

  • Ending with an order or an intention, such as ×〜につれて、頑張ろう. The second clause must be a change.