とともにtogether with; as … changes
Two things go together. After a person it is "together with". After a word for gradual change it is "as": the second thing changes along with the first.
together with
He moved to Hokkaido with his family.
as … changes
As the population ages, social security costs are rising too.
Together with
Noun + とともに
As … changes
Verb dictionary form／noun for a change + とともに
The verb stays in the dictionary form, even about the past. Also written と共に.
- Before it
- For "together with", a person or a group, now and then a thing: 家族, 仲間, 手紙. For "as", a gradual change (進む, 発展, 増加) or a word for time going by: 時代, 年齢.
- Tone
- Stiff. In conversation people say と一緒に for "together with" and usually につれて for "as". 年とともに (with age) and 時代とともに (with the times) are everyday all the same.
- Where you'll meet it
- News, reports, speeches, life stories.
In use
The delegation entered the venue with an interpreter.
With the coming of spring, tourist numbers have started to rise too.
Language changes with the times.
In the news: this, and also that
When both halves are things someone does on purpose, like publishing and apologizing, とともに just joins them: they did this, and also that. Official statements are full of it.
The committee published the results of its investigation and also set out measures to stop it happening again.
Close neighbours
と一緒にN5
The everyday "together with": friends, family, anyone you do something with.
I made a cake together with my younger sister on Sunday.
につれてN3
The "as" people say as well as write. It has only the change meaning.
As I've gotten older, staying up all night has become harder.
と同時にN3
One moment, not a gradual change: the second thing happens right as the first does.
I left my hometown the moment I graduated.
Check yourself
1Which とともに means "as … changes"?
Choose an answer to see why.
2A news report. Which one fits?
警察は
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
After a noun for one moment it is "right as":
We set out at daybreak.
It can also join two facts about one thing. A noun or な-adjective then takes である:
This scheme is simple to apply for, and it is relatively cheap as well.
More sentences
As technology advanced, the products performed better too.
As the research went on, new problems came to light as well.
As the market grew, competition between companies grew fiercer too.
As the local economy recovers, the job situation is improving too.