JLPT N1 grammar

〜ともなると／ともなればmeaning and usage

Meaning

When (the time/situation) A

How to form it

  • nounともなると/ともなれば
  • verb (dictionary form)ともなると/ともなれば

How it is used

Once things reach A, a higher stage, age or position or a special time, B naturally follows and differs from the usual. 「となると」 is broader; 「ともなると」 stresses how special or high A is.

Examples

  1. 一国の首長ともなると、さすがに物々しい警護だ。

    When it comes to the head of a nation, the security is, as expected, extremely heavy.

  2. 十二月ともなると、朝晩はかなり寒くなる。

    Once December comes, mornings and evenings get quite cold.

  3. 大学生ともなれば、自分のことは自分で決めるべきだ。

    Once you're a university student, you should make your own decisions.