# ものとする: shall; to assume; understood as ~ > Learn how to use ものとする, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning shall; to assume; understood as, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-mono-to-suru/ **ものとする** means **shall; to assume; understood as ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to indicate that something is to be interpreted, regarded, or treated in a particular way — often in formal writing like contracts, regulations, and official notices. If you need to state an assumption, a legal stipulation, or the intended meaning behind a term, **ものとする** is exactly the tool you need. Because it appears frequently in N1 reading comprehension and real-world documents, mastering it will sharpen both your test performance and your ability to handle formal Japanese. ## What does ものとする mean? Use **ものとする** when you want to specify that a certain condition or understanding is to be taken as given. It imposes an interpretation or a requirement, often with the force of “it shall be deemed that” or “it is understood that.” Natural translations include: - shall; to assume; understood as ~ The best English equivalent depends on context. In a rulebook, “shall” works; in an explanatory note, “is assumed to be” feels more natural. Recognize the author’s intent — is it a command, a definition, or an assumption? — and choose accordingly. ## How to form ものとする The pattern attaches to a statement that expresses the content to be assumed or stipulated. The core formula is:
[plain-form clause] + ものとする
More concretely:
動詞(どうし)・い形容詞(けいようし)の普通(ふつう)形(がた) ＋ ものとする
名詞(めいし) ＋ である ＋ ものとする
な形容詞(けいようし) ＋ である ＋ ものとする
Examples of the attachment: - 提出(ていしゅつ)するものとする - 有効(ゆうこう)であるものとする - 異常(いじょう)がなければ正常(せいじょう)であるものとする In JLPT questions, pay attention to whether the stem word can attach directly or needs である — a common trap with な-adjectives and nouns. ## When is ものとする used? Use **ものとする** in situations like: - laying out rules, terms of service, or contractual obligations - defining how a word or situation should be interpreted - writing official notices or procedural documents Tone and register: - highly formal; almost exclusively written - typical in legal texts, manuals, test instructions, and N1 reading passages Because of its stiff tone, avoid it in casual conversation. In spoken language, ことにする or plain とみなす are often more natural. ## ものとする example sentences
本契約は、双方が署名した時点で発効するものとする。
This agreement shall take effect upon signature by both parties.
contract
応募は一人一点(てん)までとするものとする。
Entries shall be limited to one per person.
rule
特に記載がない限り、料金は税込であるものとする。
Unless otherwise noted, prices are understood to include tax.
assumption
異議がない場合は、提案を承認したものとする。
If there is no objection, the proposal shall be deemed approved.
procedural
基準を満たしていれば合格とみなし、次のステップに進むものとする。
If the criteria are met, it shall be regarded as a pass and proceed to the next step.
manual
沈黙は同意と見なすものとする。
Silence shall be construed as consent.
formal declaration
After reading each sentence, notice that **ものとする** doesn’t just state a fact; it *prescribes* an interpretation. The meaning always points to how things should be understood going forward, not what simply is. ## Nuance of ものとする The core nuance is **imposing an assumption or rule with the weight of authority**. Unlike mere statements of fact, ものとする carries the force of “this is how we are going to treat the situation from now on.” This matters because the distinction between “A was B” and “A shall be considered B” is huge in formal Japanese. For example: - In manuals, it signals that the next step must follow only if the assumption holds. - In contracts, it eliminates ambiguity by pinning down what each clause is supposed to mean legally. A pullquote to remember:
ものとする does not describe reality — it defines the reality that must be followed.
## ものとする vs こととする Both **ものとする** and **こととする** can be translated as “shall,” but they operate in different semantic spaces.
ものとする
imposes an interpretation, assumption, or definition
used in rules, contracts, and official notices to say “X is to be understood as Y”
申込書の提出をもって申込が完了したものとする。
The application shall be deemed complete upon submission of the form.
vs
こととする
states that a decision has been made to do something; indicates a rule someone sets
often used in meeting minutes, company policies, or personal resolutions
週に一度は運動することとする。
I decided to exercise at least once a week.
The key difference: **ものとする** frames the result as an objective understanding that everyone is to follow, while **こととする** emphasizes the act of deciding or making it a rule. When a document says 〜ものとする, it is less about who decided and more about what the accepted meaning is. ## Common mistakes with ものとする
❌
会議で来月の方針は〜するものとした。
Using past tense with ものとする sounds off — it’s a rule, not a report of a past decision. Use こととした or ことにした for a decision made in the past.
✅
会議で来月の方針は〜することとした。
❌
明日は雨が降るものとする。
You cannot use ものとする for natural predictions. It imposes an interpretation, not a weather forecast. Use 〜でしょう or 〜ようだ.
✅
明日は雨が降るでしょう。
❌
彼は学生であるものとする。
Without a context that makes this a definition or a presumption inside a framework, the sentence sounds odd. If you simply want to state a fact, use だ or です.
✅
本制度では、申請者は学生であるものとする。
(Under this system, the applicant is assumed to be a student.)
A good practice is to ask: *Am I telling people how things are, or am I telling them how things must be understood?* If it’s the latter, ものとする fits. If it’s the former, pick a simpler pattern. ## Is ものとする on the JLPT?
N1
ものとする is firmly in JLPT N1 territory. It appears primarily in the reading and grammar sections where formal or contractual language is used.
At this level, you are expected to: - recognize it instantly in a passage - identify the intention behind the assumption - choose the correct paraphrase in multiple-choice questions
In N1 practice tests, questions often give you a sentence from a set of rules and ask whether a certain action violates the stated condition. Understanding ものとする as “shall be deemed” is critical for those logic-based items. ## Practice questions for ものとする
1 Write a simple rule using ものとする to define when a document is considered “received.” definition
2 Compose a clause that says “An absence of a reply shall be taken as acceptance.” legal assumption
3 Rewrite the sentence below using ものとする: 「この規約(きやく)では、登録(とうろく)が完了(かんりょう)した時点(じてん)で会員(かいいん)とみなします。」 transformation
4 Create a sentence where ものとする sets a condition and こととする describes the action taken. Compare the nuance. distinction
Keep your first sentences concise and clearly anchored in a formal context. Once you’re comfortable, try blending ものとする with other N1 forms like ない限り(かぎり) or をもって to match real document complexity. ## Learning path for ものとする To learn **ものとする** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.
1
Drill the attachment rules: verb/adjective plain form + ものとする; noun/な-adjective + であるものとする. Write five quick examples.
2
Read two or three real Japanese terms of service paragraphs. Highlight every ものとする and paraphrase each in simpler Japanese.
3
Compare ものとする with こととする by writing the same rule two ways. How does the nuance shift?
4
Write a short “mini-contract” for a personal challenge (e.g., daily study) using ものとする at least three times.
5
Test yourself with N1 practice questions where ものとする is embedded in reading passages. Can you infer the implied obligations?
## Related grammar to review next - [ものではない](/blog/n1-mono-de/) — because it also uses もの to express a principle or expectation, but in a prohibition or strong advice form - [ものを](/blog/n1-mono-o/) — because it shows counterfactual regret, contrasting with the declarative assumption of ものとする - [ものと思わ(おもわ)れる・ものと見(み)られる](/blog/n1-mono-to-omowareru-mono-to-mirareru/) — because they share the “〜ものと” structure and convey assumed conclusions from evidence - [ものとして](/blog/n1-mono-toshite/) — because it directly builds on the same base to express “acting on the assumption that” or “treating something as” Reviewing these in a cluster will give you a solid intuitive feel for how formal assumptions and statements of general truth behave in Japanese. ## Learn ものとする with Hane If you want to review **ものとする** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)