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Definition
The grammar pattern ～ことにする is used to express a personal decision or intention to perform an action. It is a way to convey that the speaker has made a conscious choice to do something. This pattern is often used in situations where the speaker is making a commitment or promise to themselves or others. The nuance of this pattern is to emphasize the speaker's decision-making process and to convey a sense of determination or resolve.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form | Verb + ことにする | 食べることにする |
| Nai-form | Verb (Nai-form) + ことにする | 食べないことにする |
| Action noun | Action noun + ことにする | 勉強することにする |
Examples
健康のために、今日から甘いものを食べることにする。
Kenkō no tame ni, kyō kara amai mono o taberu koto ni suru.
I will decide to eat sweets from now on for my health.
健康のために (for my health), 今日から (from now on), 甘いもの (sweets), 食べる (to eat), ことにする (to decide)
家族で相談して、来年日本へ旅行することにする。
Kazoku de sōdan shite, raigannihon e ryokō suru koto ni suru.
After discussing with my family, we decided to travel to Japan next year.
家族で (with my family), 相談して (after discussing), 来年 (next year), 日本へ (to Japan), 旅行する (to travel), ことにする (to decide)
今日から毎日30分、漢字を勉強することにする。
Kyō kara mainichi 30-fun, kanji o benkyō suru koto ni suru.
From now on, I will decide to study kanji for 30 minutes every day.
今日から (from now on), 毎日 (every day), 30分 (30 minutes), 漢字 (kanji), 勉強する (to study), ことにする (to decide)
Context
The grammar pattern ～ことにする is used to express a personal decision or intention to perform an action. It is often used in situations where the speaker is making a commitment or promise to themselves or others. This pattern is typically used in the present tense to convey a sense of determination or resolve. It can also be used in the past tense to describe a decision that was made in the past.
Watch out
The key difference between these two patterns is that ことになる is used to describe a decision that is made by someone else, whereas ことにする is used to describe a decision that is made by the speaker.
The past tense is used to describe actions that have already occurred, whereas the present tense is used to describe actions that will occur in the future.
The key difference between these two patterns is that ようとする is used to describe a temporary or immediate attempt, whereas ことにする is used to describe a more permanent or long-term decision.
Strategy
When using the grammar pattern ～ことにする on the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct verb form and to convey a sense of determination or resolve. Pay attention to the context and the speaker's intentions to ensure that you are using the correct pattern.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N4 test-style questions. Each sentence shows ～ことにする used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
健康のために、今日から甘いものを食べないことにしました。
Pattern used: 食べないことにしました
ことにしました expresses a personal decision to stop eating sweets.
家族で相談して、来年日本へ行くことにしました。
Pattern used: 行くことにしました
Choosing 'decided to go' after a family discussion implies a personal/group internal decision.
今日から毎日30分、漢字を練習することにします。
Pattern used: 練習することにします
ことにします marks the start of a new personal habit or decision.
Interactive
健康のために、今日から甘いものを______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.