particle N3 common casualpolitewritten
による — due to / depending on ~
による
Meaning
① due to / caused by: due to ~ / caused by ~ — the noun-modifying form, attributing something to a cause
② depending on: depends on ~ / varies with ~ — sentence-final, saying the outcome is determined by something
Key sentence
① due to / caused by
大雨による被害が各地で出た。
Damage due to the heavy rain occurred in many areas.
② depending on
成功するかどうかは本人の努力による。
Whether you succeed depends on your own effort.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | N + による (+ Noun for the 'caused by' sense; sentence-final for 'depends on') | 地震による / 場合による |
Examples
① due to / caused by
不注意による事故が増えている。
Accidents caused by carelessness are increasing.
② depending on
好き嫌いは人による。
Likes and dislikes vary from person to person.
Easily confused with
によって による is the noun-modifying / sentence-final form. によって is the て-form that links into a clause — used for means, the agent of a passive, and 'varies depending on' (国によって違う). によると Adding と gives によると, which narrows to 'according to [a source]' for reported information (ニュースによると) — a different job from cause or dependence.
See による in real sentences
Jengo shows による the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar.