# によって / による: by; due to; depending on

> Learn how to use によって / による, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning by; due to; depending on, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-ni-yotte/

**によって / による** means **by; due to; depending on**. It is a **JLPT N3** Japanese grammar pattern used to **show means, cause, agent, or variation depending on something**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral to formal** Japanese. If you want to **show means, cause, agent, or variation depending on something**, **によって / による** is a useful pattern to learn.

## What does によって / による mean?

Use **によって / による** when you want to **show means, cause, agent, or variation depending on something**.

Natural translations include:
- by; due to; depending on

## How to form によって / による

Noun + によって / Noun + による + Noun

Examples of the pattern:
- 地震によって
- 人によって
- インターネットによって

## When is によって / による used?

Use **によって / による** in situations like:
- causes of results
- means or methods
- differences depending on people or situations

Tone and register:
- neutral to formal
- Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

## によって / による example sentences

- 地震によって、多くの建物が壊れた。 — Many buildings were destroyed due to the earthquake.
- 考え方は人によって違う。 — Ways of thinking differ depending on the person.
- インターネットによって、情報を簡単に得られる。 — By means of the internet, we can get information easily.
- この小説は有名な作家によって書かれた。 — This novel was written by a famous author.
- 場合によって、予定を変えるかもしれない。 — Depending on the situation, we may change the plan.

## Nuance of によって / による

The key nuance is **a flexible formal marker for cause, method, agent, or variation**.

This matters because **によって / による** does more than translate one English phrase. It shows how the speaker connects ideas, evaluates a situation, or frames the sentence for the listener.

For example:
- In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
- Compared with **で**, it has a different focus and level of formality.

## によって / による vs で

Both **によって / による** and **で** can appear in related situations, but they are different.

**によって / による**:
- means **by; due to; depending on**
- fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

**で**:
- can mark means casually; によって is more formal and can also mark cause, agent, or variation

Quick contrast examples:
- Target: 地震によって、多くの建物が壊れた。 — Many buildings were destroyed due to the earthquake.
- Compare: Try replacing it with **で** and check whether the nuance still matches.

## Common mistakes with によって / による

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Assuming it has only one meaning
- Using it where によると is needed for “according to”
- Forgetting による before nouns

## Is によって / による on the JLPT?

Yes. **によって / による** is commonly taught as **JLPT N3** grammar.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences

## Practice questions for によって / による

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say opinions differ by person.
- Explain damage caused by a typhoon.
- Say a book was written by an author.

## Learning path for によって / による

To learn **によって / による** efficiently, review basic particles like について and に, then focus on the relationship each formal marker creates.

1. First, make sure you can form **によって / による** without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with [に対して（にたいして）](/blog/n3-ni-taishite/), [にとって](/blog/n3-ni-totte/). These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write reading-style sentences about society, research, policy, opinions, and reports; then check whether replacing **によって / による** with [について](/blog/n3-ni-tsuite/) changes the meaning.

## Related grammar to review next

- [に対して（にたいして）](/blog/n3-ni-taishite/) — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- [にとって](/blog/n3-ni-totte/) — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- [について](/blog/n3-ni-tsuite/) — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
- [に関する / に関して](/blog/n3-ni-kan-suru/) — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.

## Learn によって / による with Hane

If you want to review **によって / による** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)