N4 · Linking clauses
So that: ように and ようにする
ように (so that; making a point of)
ように aims at a state you can only bring about indirectly; ようにする is making a habit or an effort of something.
ように also expresses purpose, but a different kind from ために: it aims at a state or result that the subject cannot simply decide on. It follows the potential form, verbs such as 分かる, 見える, 聞こえる and なる, and the ない-form: 忘れないように、メモします, "I'll make a note so that I don't forget".
It is also the choice when the two clauses have different subjects: 後ろの人にも聞こえるように、大きな声で話してください, "please speak up so that the people at the back can hear too". You speak; they hear. ために could not join those two.
ようにする means making an effort or a habit of something: 毎日野菜を食べるようにしています, "I make a point of eating vegetables every day". With the negative, it is a habit of avoiding: 夜は甘いものを食べないようにしています. ようにしてください is a polite way of asking someone to take care to do something.
ように言う and ように頼む report a request or instruction indirectly: 医者にお酒を飲まないように言われました, "the doctor told me not to drink". English "told me to" uses an infinitive; Japanese uses the plain form plus ように.
The form
| so that I don't forget (ない-form) | 忘れないように |
| so that I can read it (potential) | 読めるように |
| so that everyone can hear (different subject) | みんなに聞こえるように |
| I make a point of walking every day. | 毎日歩くようにしています。 |
| Please make sure you are not late. | 遅れないようにしてください。 |
| I was told not to drink. | お酒を飲まないように言われました。 |
The rules one by one
ように follows a verb nobody can simply choose to do: a potential form, わかる, みえる, なる, or the ない-form.
漢字が読めるように、毎日練習しています。I practise every day so that I can read kanji.
ように can join two clauses with different subjects; ために cannot.
子供にも分かるように、やさしい言葉で書きました。I wrote it in simple language so that children can understand it too.
ようにする means making an effort or a habit of something.
なるべく階段を使うようにしています。I try to take the stairs whenever I can.
ようにいう and ようにたのむ report an instruction or a request.
部長に資料を準備するように頼まれました。My manager asked me to prepare the documents.
A closer look
ために and ように side by side
A quick test separates them. Can the subject of the purpose clause simply decide to do it, here and now? Then ために: 痩せるために走る is borderline, but マラソンに出るために走る is clear. If it is a capacity, a perception, an outcome or a "not", then ように: 速く走れるように練習する.
The pairs that show it most clearly are a verb and its potential form. 日本語を話すために: in order to speak Japanese, for example at a meeting. 日本語が話せるように: so that one day I am able to. The first is a plan; the second is a hope you work towards.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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ように ends a sentence after ます
it expresses a wish or a prayer: "may it be so".
試験に合格できますように。I hope I pass the exam.
The main clause — something like "I pray" — is left unsaid, and only the hoped-for result remains. You see it on wishes at shrines and in cards.
How to spot it
- 〜ように
- 〜ないように
- 〜るようにする
- 〜ようにしています
- 〜ように言う
Example sentences
風邪を引かないように、よく手を洗っています。I wash my hands a lot so that I don't catch a cold.
後ろの席の人にも見えるように、字を大きく書いてください。Please write in large letters so that the people at the back can see too.
寝坊しないように、目覚まし時計を二つかけました。I set two alarm clocks so that I wouldn't oversleep.
毎日少しでも日本語を話すようにしています。I make a point of speaking at least a little Japanese every day.
会議には遅れないようにしてください。Please make sure you are not late for the meeting.
先生に毎日漢字を練習するように言われました。My teacher told me to practise kanji every day.
7 more example sentences
忘れないように、手帳に書いておきます。I'll write it in my diary so that I don't forget.
早く元気になるように、ゆっくり休んでください。Please get plenty of rest so that you feel better soon.
夜は甘いものを食べないようにしています。I try not to eat sweet things in the evening.
赤ちゃんが起きないように、静かに歩きました。I walked quietly so as not to wake the baby.
誰でも使えるように、説明を短くしました。I kept the instructions short so that anyone can use it.
母に早く帰るように言われました。My mother told me to come home early.
できるだけ自分で料理をするようにしています。I try to cook for myself as much as possible.
Worth knowing (1)
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ようにする and ようになる
ようにする is an effort you make; ようになる is a change that happens: 泳げるようになりました, "I have become able to swim". The two look almost the same, and the difference is the one between する and なる everywhere in Japanese — doing against becoming.
毎日練習するようにしたら、少しずつ弾けるようになりました。Once I made a point of practising every day, I gradually became able to play.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English "so that" and "in order to" feel interchangeable, so learners pick ために by default. But understanding is not an action the writer performs, and the one who understands is the child, not the writer. Both facts point to ように.
ように is aiming at a result you cannot just decide on; ようにする is making a habit of trying.
Your turn
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