It Has Been Decided: ことになる
Use ことになる to describe decisions, outcomes, and arrangements that are made by circumstances, rules, or groups.
Decisions made by someone or something else
ことになる often means “it has been decided that...” The source of the decision may be a company, school, group, rule, or situation rather than the speaker’s personal choice.
来月から大阪で働くことになりました。
It has been decided that I will work in Osaka starting next month.
The decision sounds like an assignment or arrangement, not just a private intention.
学校の行事は体育館で行うことになりました。
It was decided that the school event would be held in the gymnasium.
A group or school arrangement decides the action.
新しいルールで、九時に集まることになりました。
Under the new rule, it was decided that we would gather at nine.
The rule sets the arrangement.
Practice guides for this lesson
Use these hub pages to connect this lesson with related reading practice and grammar paths.
N4 Japanese grammar lessons
Use the N4 Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.
Open guideJapanese grammar practice
Use the Japanese grammar practice guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.
Open guideJapanese grammar lessons
Use the Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.
Open guide