Deciding and arranging

Conjugations, Stage 1chunk 15 of 15Grammar patterns

Say what you decided, what got decided for you, and what you were told to do.

• -koto ni naruit's been decided that; end up doing
• -koto ni surudecide to
• -you ni iutell someone to; ask someone to
• -you ni surumake a point of; try to (as a habit)

Mix-ups koto ni suru (you chose) vs koto ni naru (it was decided or turned out that way).

-koto ni naru

〜ことになる

it's been decided that; end up doing

For plans settled by others or by circumstance; the past, -koto ni natta, is the usual way to announce news.

Make it dictionary form or -nai form + koto ni naru

Polite -koto ni narimasu

Compare -koto ni suru, where you made the choice yourself. -koto ni natte iru states a rule or standing arrangement.

casualPlay

raigetsu oosaka ni tenkin suru koto ni natta yo

I'm being transferred to Osaka next month.

来月大阪に転勤することになったよ

politePlay

raigetsu oosaka ni tenkin suru koto ni narimashita

I'll be transferring to Osaka next month.

来月大阪に転勤することになりました

Rank #388 in 3,030 TV dramas

-koto ni suru

〜ことにする

decide to

Usually past, -koto ni shita, to report a choice you made; -koto ni shite iru means it's your habit or rule.

Make it dictionary form or -nai form + koto ni suru

Polite -koto ni shimasu

Compare -koto ni naru (decided for you). To choose an item, use noun + ni suru: 'koohii ni suru'.

casualPlay

ashita kara hashiru koto ni shita

I've decided to start running tomorrow.

明日から走ることにした

politePlay

ashita kara hashiru koto ni shimashita

I've decided to start running tomorrow.

明日から走ることにしました

Rank #886 in 3,030 TV dramas

-you ni iu

〜ように言う

tell someone to; ask someone to

Reports an instruction indirectly; put the verb in -nai form for 'told not to'.

Make it dictionary form or -nai form + you ni iu (also tanomu, tsutaeru)

Polite -you ni iimasu

Most often passive: -you ni iwareta, 'I was told to'. To pass on a message: '-you ni tsutaete' (tell them to).

casualPlay

isha ni sake o yameru you ni iwareta

The doctor told me to quit drinking.

医者に酒をやめるように言われた

politePlay

isha ni osake o yameru you ni iwaremashita

My doctor told me to stop drinking.

医者にお酒をやめるように言われました

Rank #2992 in 3,030 TV dramas

-you ni suru

〜ようにする

make a point of; try to (as a habit)

For an ongoing effort, not a one-off attempt; -you ni shite iru means 'I make sure to'.

Make it dictionary form or -nai form + you ni suru

Polite -you ni shimasu

Don't mix with -you ni naru (come to be able to) or -ou to suru (try once).

casualPlay

yoru wa amai mono tabenai you ni shiteru

I try not to eat sweets at night.

夜は甘い物食べないようにしてる

politePlay

yoru wa amai mono o tabenai you ni shite imasu

I make a point of not eating sweets at night.

夜は甘い物を食べないようにしています

Rank #903 in 3,030 TV dramas