によって / による

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）, にとって. 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 changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• に対して（にたいして） — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
• にとって — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
• について — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading.
• に関する / に関して — 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.

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