ISORI

〜によって

JLPT N3:

by / depending on / due to

Several related meanings: "by" (the maker in a passive sentence, or the means), "depending on", and "due to".

How to form it

  • The doer in a passive sentence, especially someone who made or discovered something: この本(ほん)は夏目漱石(なつめそうせき)によって書(か)かれた (this book was written by Natsume Sōseki).
  • "Depending on": 人(ひと)によって意見(いけん)が違(ちが)う (opinions differ from person to person).
  • The means: インターネットによって情報(じょうほう)を集(あつ)める (gather information through the internet).
  • The cause, in formal writing: 地震(じしん)によって建物(たてもの)が壊(こわ)れた (buildings were destroyed by the earthquake).
  • Before a noun, use による: 地震(じしん)による被害(ひがい) (damage caused by the earthquake).

Examples

人(ひと)によって意見(いけん)が違(ちが)う。

Opinions differ from person to person.

この本(ほん)は彼(かれ)によって書(か)かれた。

This book was written by him.

Notes

  • によっては means "in some cases": 場合(ばあい)によっては (depending on the situation).

Same form, different meaning