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Easy Korean - Level 9, Unit 19: As [X] happens, [Y] happens (-(으)ㅁ에 따라)

When you want to say that as one situation changes, another situation changes in accordance with it, you use the formal structure -(으)ㅁ에 따라.

It translates to "As...", "In accordance with...", or "Along with..."

Structure Breakdown

  • -(으)ㅁ = makes the verb a formal noun
  • 에 = to / at
  • 따라 = follows / goes along with (from 따르다)

Literally: "Following the fact that X happens..."

How to Conjugate

Just like Unit 10 (-(으)ㅁ으로써), this attaches to the verb stem to make a noun.

1. Vowel stem: Add -ㅁ에 따라 * 증가하다 (to increase) -> 증가함에 따라 (As it increases) * 변하다 (to change) -> 변함에 따라 (As it changes)

2. Consonant stem: Add -음에 따라 * 많아지다 (vowel!) -> 적어지다 -> 줄어들다 (ㄹ stem) -> 줄어듦에 따라 * 높아지다 -> 높아짐에 따라 * (Let's use a pure consonant): 발전하다 (vowel) * 작아지다 -> 작아짐에 따라... Most verbs used here end in -아/어지다 or -하다. * 먹다 is rarely used with this formal grammar. But structurally: 먹음에 따라.

3. ㄹ stem: Add -ㅁ에 따라 (ㄹ drops!) * 줄어들다 (to decrease) -> 줄어듦에 따라 (As it decreases)

When is it used?

Because it is very formal, you will mostly see this in news reports, data analysis, or formal presentations describing trends.

  • 인구가 증가함에 따라 주택 문제도 심각해지고 있습니다. (As the population increases, the housing problem is also getting serious.)

With Nouns (Noun + 에 따라)

If you just want to use a noun (without a verb), simply use -에 따라. * 시간에 따라 (As time goes by / Depending on the time) * 규칙에 따라 (In accordance with the rules)

Example Sentences

  1. 날씨가 추워짐에 따라 감기 환자가 늘고 있어요. (As the weather gets colder, cold patients are increasing.)
  2. 나이가 듦에 따라 건강의 중요성을 깨닫게 됩니다. (As you get older (age enters), you realize the importance of health.)
  3. 기술이 발전함에 따라 우리 생활이 편리해졌어요. (Along with the development of technology, our lives have become convenient.)