Purpose and intention

～ことになる

it has been decided that ~; it turns out that ~

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How to form it

  • Verb (dictionary form) + ことになる
  • Verb (ない-form) + ことになる

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Says that a decision has been made by someone else, by a group, or by circumstances, or that things turned out that way.

The decision is not presented as the speaker's own, even when the speaker agreed. It is often used for announcements such as a transfer or marriage, and sounds modest.

Examples

  1. 来月、大阪に転勤することになった。

    らいげつ、おおさかにてんきんすることになった。

    It has been decided that I will be transferred to Osaka next month.

  2. 来年の春に結婚することになりました。

    らいねんのはるにけっこんすることになりました。

    It has been arranged that we will get married next spring.

  3. 来週、出張に行くことになった。

    らいしゅう、しゅっちょうにいくことになった。

    I have to go on a business trip next week.

  4. 話し合いの結果、旅行は中止することになった。

    はなしあいのけっか、りょこうはちゅうしすることになった。

    As a result of the discussion, it was decided to cancel the trip.

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Common mistakes

  • Using it for a decision clearly made by the speaker alone.