JLPT N2 grammar

〜とともにmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. At the same time A, B (occurs together)
  2. Both A and B (share a common trait)
  3. A and B (do something together)
  4. As A changes, B changes as well
  5. A is both B and C (B and C are modifiers)

How to form it

  • nounとともに
  • verb (dictionary form)/い-adjectiveとともに
  • noun/な-adjective (stem)であるとともに

How it is used

Formal. After a noun it means 'together with' (in speech, 「〜と一緒に」); after a verb or a noun of change, 'as' or 'at the same time as'; 「〜であるとともに」 means 'is both … and …'.

Examples

  1. その箱を開けるとともに彼女は満面の笑みになった。

    A huge smile appeared on her face as she opened that box.

  2. 家族とともに新しい年を迎えた。

    I welcomed the new year together with my family.

  3. 年をとるとともに、朝早く目が覚めるようになった。

    As I've got older, I've started waking up early in the morning.