N4Intentions & Decisions

～ようになる

Q: Is "Confusing with ようにする (effort)" correct?

No. The correct form is "～ようになる is used to describe a gradual change in ability or habit, while ようにする is used to express making an effort to do something.". For example, "毎日練習して、日本語が上手くなる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes proficient) vs. "毎日練習して、日本語を上手にできるようになる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes proficient through effort)

Q: Is "Confusing with ことになる (decisions)" correct?

No. The correct form is "～ようになる is used to describe a gradual change in ability or habit, while ことになる is used to express decisions or plans.". For example, "毎日練習して、日本語が上手くなる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes proficient) vs. "日本語を勉強することになる" (Japanese language study becomes a plan)

Q: Is "Using it for sudden state changes" correct?

No. The correct form is "～ようになる is used to describe gradual changes, not sudden changes.". For example, "毎日練習して、日本語が上手くなる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes proficient) vs. "毎日練習して、日本語がすごく上手になる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes extremely proficient suddenly)

to reach the point where

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern ～ようになる is used to describe a gradual change in ability or habit over time. It is often used to express a future state that is expected to occur as a result of continuous effort or practice. The pattern is formed by combining a verb in the dictionary, potential, or nai-form with the auxiliary verb ようになる.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Dictionary form	[Verb] + ようになる	歩く + ようになる → 歩くようになる
Potential form	[Verb] + う + ようになる	食べる + う + ようになる → 食べるようになる
Nai-form	[Verb] + ない + ようになる	食べない + ようになる → 食べないようになる

Examples

Example Sentences

毎日練習して、日本語が上手くなる

Mainichi renshu shite, nihongo ga jōzu ni naru

With daily practice, I will become proficient in Japanese

毎日練習して (daily practice) + 日本語が (Japanese) + 上手くなる (become proficient)

このボタンを押せば、電気が入る

Kono botan o osaseba, denki ga hairu

If I press this button, the electricity will turn on

このボタンを押せば (if I press this button) + 電気が (electricity) + 入る (turn on)

最近は、夜遅くにあまり寝ることができないようになる

Saikin wa, yoru osoku ni arimashita no ga nai you ni naru

Lately, I have been finding it difficult to sleep late at night

最近は (lately) + 夜遅くに (late at night) + あまり (not much) + 寝ることができない (cannot sleep) + ようになる (become)

毎日勉強して、将来の仕事がうまくなる

Mainichi benkyō shite, mirai no shigoto ga jōzu ni naru

With daily study, I will become proficient in my future job

毎日勉強して (daily study) + 将来の仕事が (future job) + うまくなる (become proficient)

この本を読んで、英語が上手くなる

Kono hon o yonde, eigo ga jōzu ni naru

By reading this book, I will become proficient in English

この本を読んで (by reading this book) + 英語が (English) + 上手くなる (become proficient)

Context

Usage Notes

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Confusing with ようにする (effort)

～ようになる is used to describe a gradual change in ability or habit, while ようにする is used to express making an effort to do something.

For example, "毎日練習して、日本語が上手くなる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes proficient) vs. "毎日練習して、日本語を上手にできるようになる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes proficient through effort)

Confusing with ことになる (decisions)

～ようになる is used to describe a gradual change in ability or habit, while ことになる is used to express decisions or plans.

For example, "毎日練習して、日本語が上手くなる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes proficient) vs. "日本語を勉強することになる" (Japanese language study becomes a plan)

Using it for sudden state changes

～ようになる is used to describe gradual changes, not sudden changes.

For example, "毎日練習して、日本語が上手くなる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes proficient) vs. "毎日練習して、日本語がすごく上手になる" (every day practice, Japanese becomes extremely proficient suddenly)

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

When using the grammar pattern ～ようになる on the JLPT exam, make sure to use it to describe a gradual change in ability or habit. Avoid confusing it with other patterns, such as ようにする or ことになる.

In context