N3Chapter 47Unit 2 · Time, Change, and Plans

Decisions, Rules, and Change

Learning objectives

  • Separate personal choice from an externally determined outcome.
  • Distinguish rules from one-time arrangements.
  • Describe deliberate effort and the change that results from it.
N3 context
English often uses “decide” or “become” for all five patterns in this chapter. Japanese marks who controls the action: the speaker, another person or institution, an established system, deliberate repeated effort, or a change that has gradually become true.
Vocabulary語彙
6 terms

  • 配属

    noun

    はいぞく

    Show romaji

    haizoku

    assignment to a department

  • 規則

    noun

    きそく

    Show romaji

    kisoku

    rule; regulation

  • 習慣

    noun

    しゅうかん

    Show romaji

    shuukan

    habit

  • 変更

    noun

    へんこう

    Show romaji

    henkou

    change; alteration

  • 意識する

    verb

    いしきする

    Show romaji

    ishiki suru

    to make a conscious effort

  • 自然に

    adv

    しぜんに

    Show romaji

    shizen ni

    naturally

1. Choice, outside decision, or standing rule

Pattern contrast使い分け

Who controls the outcome?

V-る／V-ないことにする

neutral

make a personal decision

The subject deliberately chooses an action or policy.

今年は車を買わないことにした。

I decided not to buy a car this year.

V-る／V-ないことになる

neutral

it is decided; circumstances result in

The decision is presented as coming from outside the subject, or as the outcome of circumstances.

来月、大阪支社へ転勤することになった。

It has been decided that I will transfer to the Osaka branch next month.

V-る／V-ないことになっている

rules

it is the rule or established arrangement

Use for schedules, systems, and rules already in force—not merely a decision made moments ago.

この寮では、十一時までに戻ることになっている。

Residents of this dormitory are required to return by eleven.
Grammar文法
〜ことにする・〜ことになる・〜ことになっている

means mark personal choice, an outside outcome, or an established rule

Formation

Dictionary or ない-form + ことにする／ことになる／ことになっている

Examples

話し合った結果、今回は参加しないことにしました。

Show reading

hanashiatta kekka, konkai wa sanka shinai koto ni shimashita.

After discussing it, we decided not to participate this time.

台風のため、式は来週行われることになりました。

Show reading

taifuu no tame, shiki wa raishuu okonawareru koto ni narimashita.

Because of the typhoon, it was decided that the ceremony would be held next week.

2. Deliberate effort and resulting change

Pattern contrast使い分け

Effort versus achieved change

V-る／V-ないようにする

deliberate

make an effort to; take care to

A continuing, deliberate practice. It does not guarantee success.

会議では、結論から話すようにしています。

In meetings, I make a point of stating the conclusion first.

V-る／V-ないようになる

result

come to; reach a changed state

Describes a new ability, habit, or state that has developed.

練習して、敬語が少し使えるようになった。

Through practice, I have become able to use some honorific language.

Effort is not the same as success

忘れないようにしています means “I make an effort not to forget.” 忘れないようになりました means the change has actually occurred: “I no longer tend to forget.”

3. Context dialogue

A change at work会話
Mika

四月から企画部に配属されることになったんです。

Show reading

shigatsu kara kikakubu ni haizoku sareru koto ni nattan desu.

It has been decided that I’ll be assigned to Planning from April.

Ren

そうなんですか。働き方も変わりそうですね。

Show reading

sou nan desu ka. hatarakikata mo kawari sou desu ne.

Really? It sounds as though your way of working will change too.

Mika

はい。これからは、予定を早めに共有するようにします。

Show reading

hai. kore kara wa, yotei o hayame ni kyouyuu suru you ni shimasu.

Yes. From now on, I’ll make sure to share schedules early.

Ren

続ければ、自然にできるようになりますよ。

Show reading

tsuzukereba, shizen ni dekiru you ni narimasu yo.

If you keep doing that, it will become natural.
Guided practice練習

Choose the form that matches control and time, then compare with the model answer.

  1. 1.The university has decided that next Monday's class will be online.

  2. 2.It is a company rule that staff wear identification cards.

  3. 3.I make a point of checking unfamiliar words immediately.
Reading practice読解

New shared-office rules

workplace notice

Target: 2 minutes
来月から、会議室の予約方法が変わることになりました。利用する人は、前日までに社内サイトで予約することになっています。急な会議の場合も、使用を始める前に空き状況を確認するようにしてください。最近、予約をしないで使う人が増えたため、この規則を設けることにしました。
設ける（もうける）
to establish
空き状況（あきじょうきょう）
availability
  1. Which change was decided externally for employees?
  2. What did the organisation itself decide to do?
Listening rehearsal聴解

A study habit

A student explains a recent change. Listen for effort and result.

Listen before opening the transcript.
  1. What deliberate habit has the student adopted?
  2. What can the student now do?
Key takeawaysまとめ
  • 1ことにする marks a deliberate choice; ことになる removes the decision from the subject.
  • 2ことになっている describes a rule, schedule, or established arrangement.
  • 3ようにする is effort; ようになる is the resulting change.

Knowledge Check

Practice quiz
1 / 8

The school has decided that the trip will be cancelled. Choose the best completion: 遠足は中止する＿＿。