日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N3

～とともに

~to tomo ni

together with; as

When to use it

Use ～とともに in written or formal register to link two things that occur or hold true simultaneously — either "along with / accompanied by" (物とともに送る), "as ~ progresses" (成長とともに変化する), or "A and at the same time B" (責任者であるとともに). In reports, contracts and business email it replaces the more conversational ～と一緒に and ～につれて; in speech it can sound stiff outside set phrases.

Formation

  • Noun + とともに → 契約書とともに / 時代とともに
  • Verb (plain non-past) + とともに → 経験を積むとともに / 業績が伸びるとともに
  • Na-adjective + である + とともに → 有効であるとともに
  • Noun + である + とともに → 顧客であるとともに ("A as well as B" reading)
  • I-adjectives are avoided; use ～と同時に or ～上に instead
  • Note: the "as ~ progresses" reading needs a verb/noun of change (増える・拡大・成長); with a one-off action it means "at the same time as"

Examples

  • As the market expands, competitors are increasing too.

  • I will send the specifications along with the quotation.

  • As he gained experience, his decisions got faster.

  • He is the head of development and also a shareholder.

  • The share price rose with the announcement of the new product.