〜に沿って / 〜に沿った — JLPT N2 Grammar
Learn 〜に沿って and 〜に沿った to express acting in line with plans, policies, or guidelines in formal Japanese.
Pattern
〜に沿って / 〜に沿った (ni sotte / ni sotta)
Structure
- Noun + に沿って (followed by verb)
- Noun + に沿った + Noun (attributive — modifying a noun)
Formality Level
Formal to neutral — used in business planning, policy documents, academic discourse. Also used in everyday formal speech.
Meaning
"In line with X," "along X," "following the course of X." Expresses that an action proceeds consistently with a pre-defined direction, plan, policy, or guideline. Can also mean physically following a path.
The key nuance is alignment with a pre-established direction — the focus is on staying on course or consistent with something, rather than obeying it as a rule (〜に従って).
Examples
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 計画に沿って、プロジェクトを進めています。 | けいかくにそって、プロジェクトをすすめています。 | keikaku ni sotte, purojekuto o susumete imasu. | We are proceeding with the project in line with the plan. |
| 新しいガイドラインに沿った対応をお願いします。 | あたらしいガイドラインにそったたいおうをおねがいします。 | atarashii gaidorain ni sotta taiō o onegai shimasu. | Please respond in accordance with the new guidelines. |
| 方針に沿って業務を進めることが重要です。 | ほうしんにそってぎょうむをすすめることがじゅうようです。 | hōshin ni sotte gyōmu o susumeru koto ga jūyō desu. | It is important to carry out work in line with policy. |
| 川に沿って歩いて行きました。 | かわにそってあるいていきました。 | kawa ni sotte aruite ikimashita. | I walked along the river. |
| 顧客のニーズに沿った製品開発が求められる。 | こきゃくのニーズにそったせいひんかいはつがもとめられる。 | kokyaku no nīzu ni sotta seihin kaihatsu ga motomerareru. | Product development in line with customer needs is required. |
Comparison Table: The Four "Based on / Following" Patterns
| Pattern | Core Meaning | Basis Type | Test Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜に基づいて | Derived from objective foundation | Evidence, law, data | "Is the basis authoritative/factual?" |
| 〜に従って | Compliance with authority | Rules, orders, instructions | "Is there an authority being obeyed?" |
| 〜に沿って | Alignment with direction | Plans, policies, paths, guidelines | "Is this staying on a pre-set course?" |
| 〜をもとに | Using as raw material | Ideas, events, data → new creation | "Is something new being created from it?" |
Common Mistakes
- ❌ 規則に沿って行動する → More natural: 規則に従って行動する (rules are obeyed, not just "followed as a path")
- ❌ 実績をもとに評価する vs 実績に基づいて評価する — both acceptable; 実績をもとに is more creative/interpretive, 実績に基づいて is more objective/systematic
- ✓ 方針に沿った判断 (judgment that stays aligned with policy) — correct use