〜につれて

Meaning

〜につれて indicates that when one thing or situation changes, another thing or situation changes accordingly. It shows a causal relationship where changes occur together or in sequence. The て can be omitted (〜につれ). It can follow verb dictionary forms or nouns.

Formation

Examples

1. この町は人口の増加につれて、住宅が足りるという問題が出てきました。
   As the population of this town increased, the problem of insufficient housing emerged.

2. クレジットカードが普及するにつれ、買い物はとても便利になりました。
   As credit cards became widespread, shopping became very convenient.

3. 中国に帰国してからずっと中国語だけで仕事をしていたら、時間がたつにつれて日本語をだんだん忘れてしまった。
   Since returning to China, I've been working only in Chinese, and as time passed, I gradually forgot Japanese.

Summary

• Use につれて to show parallel changes: when X changes, Y also changes
• Can follow verb dictionary form or noun + につれて (or につれ without て)
• Expresses cause-and-effect or temporal progression between two related changes