日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

～のもとで

~no moto de

under (guidance/conditions of)

When to use it

Use ～のもとで in formal writing and speech to frame an action as taking place under someone's guidance/supervision or under a specified set of conditions. It is the standard choice for reports, contracts and email when you want to credit an authority or state the circumstances governing the work. Prefer it over 下(した)で when the register is written or the "under" is figurative (指導・監督・条件・方針).

Formation

  • Noun + のもとで — the only direct attachment: 教授の指導のもとで、社長の許可のもとで。
  • Verbs / adjectives: no direct attachment. Nominalise with 条件・状況・前提・方針 etc. — 全員が合意したという前提のもとで.
  • のもとに is the near-synonym; it leans toward abstract principles and set phrases (法の下に、〜という名のもとに), while のもとで marks the setting in which an activity is actually carried out.
  • Modifying a noun: のもとでの — 新体制のもとでの初の決算.

Examples

  • Under the new CEO's leadership, we are proceeding with restructuring the business.

  • We revised part of the contract under the advice of our lawyer.

  • Maintaining this quality under such a tight deadline is a big achievement.

  • We will disclose the materials under a nondisclosure agreement.

  • We hope to continue negotiating on a basis of mutual trust.