At the N3 level, you'll encounter compound particles that express time or spatial ranges. Among them,「にかけて」「にわたって」and「に沿って」are the three most easily confused. This article uses a "drawing lines" metaphor to sort them out.
Overview
| Compound Particle | Core | Metaphor | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| にかけて | Up until... | Drawing a line to an endpoint | The endpoint |
| にわたって | Throughout | Highlighting the entire span | The continuous process |
| に沿って | Along... | Following a path | Direction / guideline |
にかけて: From A to B (Focus on Endpoint)
Expresses a range of time or space, emphasizing "up to where." Often paired with から:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 来週にかけて気温がもっと下がるらしい。 | Apparently temperatures will keep dropping through next week. |
| 秋から冬にかけて、インフルエンザが流行する。 | The flu is prevalent from autumn through winter. |
| 関東から東北にかけて大雨が降った。 | Heavy rain fell from Kanto through Tohoku. |
Note: にかけて doesn't necessarily emphasize that something continues the entire time — it just marks the range.
にわたって: Spanning the Entire Period
Indicates an action or state continuing throughout the entire period or range, emphasizing "from start to finish":
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| この寺は十年にわたって修復された。 | This temple was restored over a span of ten years. |
| 三日間にわたって会議が行われた。 | The conference was held over three full days. |
| 全国にわたって調査を行った。 | A survey was conducted across the entire country. |
Note: にわたって emphasizes complete coverage — not just a point, but the whole span.
にかけて vs にわたって
| Comparison | にかけて | にわたって |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis | Range endpoint | Continuous process |
| Common pairing | Often with から | Often with specific time spans |
| Nuance | "Extends to there" | "Spans the whole period" |
Contrast:
- 秋から冬にかけて寒くなる。 → It gets cold from autumn through winter. (marking range)
- 三ヶ月にわたって寒かった。 → It was cold for three full months. (emphasizing duration)
に沿って: Along a Path or Guideline
Means "along" a route, direction, or "in accordance with" a standard:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 川に沿って歩いた。 | I walked along the river. |
| 計画に沿って進める。 | We'll proceed according to the plan. |
| マニュアルに沿って操作してください。 | Please operate according to the manual. |
Note: に沿って isn't about "time ranges" — it's about "direction/guidelines." Despite looking similar to the other two, its function is completely different.
When modifying nouns, use に沿った:
- 計画に沿った行動 → Actions in accordance with the plan
Connection Reference
| Compound Particle | Before nouns | Before verbs |
|---|---|---|
| にかけて | にかけての + N | にかけて + V |
| にわたって | にわたる + N | にわたって + V |
| に沿って | に沿った + N | に沿って + V |
Summary
- にかけて = range from A to B (emphasizes endpoint)
- にわたって = spanning the entire period/range (emphasizes duration)
- に沿って = along a path / according to a standard (completely different function)
- にかけて often pairs with から; にわたって pairs with specific time spans
Practice
1. Choose the right compound particle:
この計画は三年____実施された。
Show answer
この計画は三年にわたって実施された。 Implemented over three full years = spanning the entire period → にわたって.
2. How do「春から夏にかけて」and「三ヶ月にわたって」differ?
Show answer
- 春から夏にかけて: From spring extending into summer (marks the range boundaries)
- 三ヶ月にわたって: For three full months straight (emphasizes complete coverage of the process)
- The first focuses on "range," the second on "duration."
3. Complete with に沿って:
このルール____、仕事を進めてください。
Show answer
このルールに沿って、仕事を進めてください。 Please proceed with work according to these rules = following a guideline → に沿って.