N3Rules and Decisions

V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている

Q: Is "Using 'shite iru' for laws or school regulations" correct?

No. The correct form is "Using 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている' for laws or school regulations". While 'shite iru' can be used to describe actions that are being done, it's not suitable for describing rules or regulations. 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている' is a more formal and suitable pattern for this context.

Q: Is "Confusion with 'koto ni naru' (which focuses on the moment of decision)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Understanding the difference between 'koto ni naru' and 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている'". 'Koto ni naru' focuses on the moment of decision, whereas 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている' describes a situation that is fixed and expected to be followed.

Q: Is "Using for a simple future plan without a fixed appointment context" correct?

No. The correct form is "Using 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている' only for fixed appointment contexts". This pattern is not suitable for simple future plans without a fixed appointment context. It's essential to understand the context and use the correct pattern accordingly.

it is the rule/custom that

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている" is used to describe rules, social customs, laws, or appointments that have been established by a group or society. It implies that the situation is fixed and expected to be followed. This pattern is often used in formal or official contexts, such as laws, school regulations, or social norms. It's essential to understand that this pattern is not used for simple future plans without a fixed appointment context.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Dictionary form	V-dictionary + ことになっている	法律で、20歳未満はお酒を飲むことが禁止になっている
Nai form	V-nai + ことになっている	明日の朝、9時に駅で山田さんと会うことになっている
Other verb forms	Other verb forms + ことになっている	この部屋では靴を脱ぐことになっている

Examples

Example Sentences

法律で、20歳未満はお酒を飲むことが禁止になっている

Hōritsu de, 20-sai miman wa o-sake o nomu koto ga kinshi ni nattte iru

According to the law, people under 20 are not allowed to drink alcohol.

法律で (according to the law), 20歳未満 (people under 20), は (are), お酒を飲むことが (to drink alcohol), 禁止になっている (is not allowed)

明日の朝、9時に駅で山田さんと会うことになっている

Ashita no asa, 9-ji ni eki de Yamada-san to au koto ga nattte iru

I'm supposed to meet Yamada-san at the station at 9 am tomorrow morning.

明日の朝 (tomorrow morning), 9時に (at 9 am), 駅で (at the station), 山田さんと (with Yamada-san), 会うこと (to meet), なっている (is supposed to)

この部屋では靴を脱ぐことになっている

Kono heya de, kutsu o nagasu koto ga nattte iru

It's customary to take off your shoes in this room.

この部屋では (in this room), 靴を (shoes), 脱ぐこと (to take off), なっている (is customary)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used in formal or official contexts, such as laws, school regulations, or social norms. It's essential to understand that this pattern is not used for simple future plans without a fixed appointment context. The dictionary form and nai form are commonly used in this pattern.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using 'shite iru' for laws or school regulations

Using 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている' for laws or school regulations

While 'shite iru' can be used to describe actions that are being done, it's not suitable for describing rules or regulations. 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている' is a more formal and suitable pattern for this context.

Confusion with 'koto ni naru' (which focuses on the moment of decision)

Understanding the difference between 'koto ni naru' and 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている'

'Koto ni naru' focuses on the moment of decision, whereas 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている' describes a situation that is fixed and expected to be followed.

Using for a simple future plan without a fixed appointment context

Using 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている' only for fixed appointment contexts

This pattern is not suitable for simple future plans without a fixed appointment context. It's essential to understand the context and use the correct pattern accordingly.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Pay attention to the context and use the correct pattern accordingly. Make sure to understand the difference between 'koto ni naru' and 'V-dictionary/V-nai + ことになっている'. Practice using this pattern in different contexts to improve your understanding.

In context