Advanced TOPIK II Grammar: -에 따라 / -(으)ㅁ에 따라
This lesson summarizes the '-에 따라' family of grammar that frequently appears on the advanced TOPIK II. These expressions indicate correlations of grounds, criteria, and change, and they are very common in formal writing.
1. Criteria and Grounds: -에 따라 (according to / depending on)
Attached after a noun, it means 'using that as a criterion or basis.' It can also be written as '-에 따라서.'
규정에 따라 절차를 진행하겠습니다.
gyujeong-e ttara jeolcha-reul jinhaenghagetseumnida.
We will proceed with the procedure according to the regulations.
사람에 따라 의견이 다를 수 있다.
saram-e ttara uigyeon-i dareul su itda.
Opinions may differ depending on the person.
상황에 따라 계획은 유동적으로 조정된다.
sanghwang-e ttara gyehoeg-eun yudongjeog-euro jojeongdoenda.
Depending on the situation, the plan is flexibly adjusted.
2. Proportional Change: -(으)ㅁ에 따라 (as ... increases/changes)
Turning a verb into the nominal form '-(으)ㅁ' and attaching '-에 따라' expresses a proportional relationship in which 'as one side changes, the other changes too.' It is a representative construction of formal written style.
기술이 발전함에 따라 생활이 편리해졌다.
gisul-i baljeonhamae ttara saenghwal-i pyeolli-haejyeotda.
As technology develops, life has become more convenient.
수요가 증가함에 따라 가격이 상승하고 있다.
suyo-ga jeunggahamae ttara gagyeok-i sangseunghago itda.
As demand increases, prices are rising.
고령화가 진행됨에 따라 복지 수요가 커지고 있다.
goryeonghwa-ga jinhaengdoemae ttara bokji suyo-ga keojigo itda.
As aging progresses, demand for welfare is growing.
'-(으)ㅁ에 따라' is a key construction for objectively describing the covariation of two variables in statistics, news reports, and academic papers.
| Form | Attaches to | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| N에 따라 | noun | criterion/grounds (according to) |
| V-(으)ㅁ에 따라 | verb nominal form | proportional change (as ... changes) |
| N에 따라서 | noun | emphasized criterion |
| N에 의해 | noun | agent/means (by means of) |
3. Comparing Similar Expressions: -에 의해 vs -에 따라
법에 의해 처벌되며, 규정에 따라 징계된다.
beob-e uihae cheobeoldoemyeo, gyujeong-e ttara jinggyedoenda.
One is punished by law and disciplined according to the rules.
이 결정은 이사회에 의해 최종 승인되었다.
i gyeoljeong-eun isahoe-e uihae choejong seungindoeeotda.
This decision was finally approved by the board.
💡 Tip: '-에 의해' emphasizes the agent or means of an action (by), while '-에 따라' emphasizes the criterion of a judgment (according to). '-에 의해' is natural in passive sentences, while '-(으)ㅁ에 따라' is natural for describing change.