Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 9: 16/20

(よう)によっては

Depending on the way, Depending on how

Structure

Verb[ます+ ようによって + Phrase

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About ようによっては

ようによっては is used in Japanese to indicate that the way in which something is done will determine the result. This structure is a combination of the noun (よう) ‘manner’, or ‘way’, the case-marking particle に, the て-form of the う-Verb, よる ‘to depend on (A)’, or ‘to be due to (A)’, and the adverbial particle は. The standard translation is ‘depending on the way that (A), (B)’.
ようによっては will often highlight results that vary greatly from person to person, or from one method to the other.
This grammar pattern will appear after the conjunctive form of verbs.
  • この映画(えいが)()ようによってはコメディーだと(かん)じる(ひと)もいるだろう。
    Some people may see this movie as a comedy film, depending on how they watch it.
  • 45(ふん)()けるはずだけど、()ようによっては1時間(じかん)(はん)かかることもあり()るから明日(あした)(すこ)(はや)(いえ)()よう。
    We should be able to get there in 45 minutes, but depending on how congested the road is, it could take an hour and a half, so let’s leave a bit early tomorrow.
  • どんなに安全(あんぜん)機械(きかい)であっても使(つか)ようによってはとても危険(きけん)になることもある。
    No matter how safe a machine is, it could become very dangerous depending on how you use it.
Caution
This phrase may be simply considered to be a more advanced version of the suffix (かた), which also highlights a ‘way’. In fact, the two suffixes are completely interchangeable, with (よう) being the more formal of the two.
  • この()()(かた)によっては奇麗(きれい)女性(じょせい)かウサギに()える。
    Depending on how you look at this picture, it may look like a beautiful lady or a rabbit.

Examples

  • このドレスの(いろ)()ようによっては(あお)(くろ)」か「(しろ)(きん)」に()えるかもしれない。

    Depending on how you look at it, the color of this dress may seem like it's 'blue and black' or 'white and gold'.

  • 結構(けっこう)です」は()ようによっては肯定(こうてい)でも否定(ひてい)でもどちらでも()()れる。

    Depending on the way you hear it, '結構です' can be taken either as affirmation or denial.

  • 経済(けいざい)危機(きき)は、一見(いっけん)絶望(ぜつぼう)しかないように()えるが、(かんが)ようによっては素晴(すば)らしい機会(きかい)とも()えるかもしれない。

    The economic crisis may seem to be nothing but despair. However, depending on the way you think about it, it might also be called a great opportunity.

  • (たし)かに、この(おお)きな()のクモは、()ようによっては可愛(かわい)らしいと()えなくもない。

    Needless to say, depending on the way you look at this big-eyed spider, it can kind of be called adorable.

  • このツイートは()ようによっては皮肉(ひにく)にも()れるだろう。

    Depending on the way you read this tweet, you could take it as irony, right!?

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