N3 · Expressions (N3)
によって: depending on, by, because of
によって, による
によって names what something depends on, who made or did it, or what caused it.
によって comes from 依る, "to rest on", and every one of its uses is a version of "resting on". With verbs of difference — 違う, 変わる, 異なる — it means "depending on": 人によって考え方が違う, "people think differently, each in their own way". Short and very common: 人によります, "it depends on the person".
In a passive sentence it names the doer, above all when something is created, discovered or organised: この建物は有名な建築家によって設計された, "this building was designed by a famous architect". In formal Japanese it also gives a cause (台風によって電車が止まった) or a means (話し合いによって解決する).
Before a noun it becomes による: 地震による被害, "damage caused by the earthquake". With は, によっては picks out some cases among many: 場合によっては, "in some cases".
English "by" covers too much for a one-to-one translation. "By train" is 電車で; "by Friday" is 金曜日までに; "by me" in an ordinary passive is 私に. によって is the "by" of authorship, cause and dependence, and it sounds formal in speech wherever で would do.
The form
| depending on | 人によって |
| in some cases | 人によっては |
| by (who made or did it) | 作家によって |
| because of (formal) | 台風によって |
| before a noun | 台風による |
| it depends on | 人によります |
The rules one by one
With verbs of difference, によって means "depending on".
季節によって景色が変わる。The scenery changes with the seasons.
In a passive about something created or discovered, によって names who did it.
この建物は有名な建築家によって設計された。This building was designed by a famous architect.
In formal Japanese によって gives a cause; in speech で is more usual.
大雨によって道路が通行止めになった。The road was closed because of heavy rain.
Before a noun, によって becomes による.
地震による被害は少なかった。There was little damage from the earthquake.
によっては picks out some cases among many.
店によっては、日曜日に休むところもある。Some shops close on Sundays.
A closer look
によって and によると
Two forms of the same verb look alike and do different jobs. によって is about dependence, authorship and cause. によると, and its twin によれば, names a source of information: "according to". 天気予報によると、明日は雪だそうです.
A sentence with によると almost always ends in a hearsay form — そうだ, らしい, ということだ — because the speaker is passing on what someone else said. If no such ending fits, the sentence probably wants によって.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the form is によると or によれば
it means "according to" and names a source of information.
天気予報によると、明日は雪だそうです。According to the weather forecast, it will snow tomorrow.
These are the と and ば conditionals of the same verb: "if one goes by …". The sentence usually ends in そうだ or らしい.
How to spot it
- によって
- による
- によっては
- によります
- によって違う
Example sentences
国によって習慣が違います。Customs differ from country to country.
天気によって、予定を変えるかもしれません。Depending on the weather, we may change our plans.
この絵は有名な画家によって描かれました。This picture was painted by a famous artist.
台風によって、多くの便が欠航した。Many flights were cancelled because of the typhoon.
不注意による事故が増えている。Accidents caused by carelessness are increasing.
場合によっては、手術が必要になります。In some cases, an operation may be necessary.
8 more example sentences
人によって好みは様々だ。Tastes vary from person to person.
曜日によって営業時間が違います。Opening hours differ depending on the day of the week.
この薬は日本の研究者によって開発された。This medicine was developed by Japanese researchers.
話し合いによって問題を解決したい。I want to solve the problem by talking it through.
大雪による停電が続いている。The power cut caused by the heavy snow is continuing.
人によっては、この味が苦手かもしれない。Some people may not like this taste.
試験の結果によって、クラスが決まります。Your class is decided by your exam results.
ニュースによると、駅の近くで火事があったらしい。According to the news, there was a fire near the station.
Worth knowing (1)
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Which "by" in a passive
In an ordinary passive the doer takes に: 先生に褒められた, "I was praised by the teacher". によって appears when something is made, found or organised, especially in writing, and when the sentence reports a fact rather than an experience.
この祭りは町の人々によって守られてきた。This festival has been kept alive by the people of the town.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
The "by" of transport and of tools is で. によって would turn the train into the cause or the author of the journey, which is why the sentence sounds like a report on how the commute came about.
によって is for what things depend on, who made them and what caused them — not for how you travel.
Your turn
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