When we learned about the agent marker に, we learned how several functions of に are interrelated. From its basic definition of showing where something exists, に by extension marks the existence of an agent. As we learned in that lesson and the lessons that followed, に marks the agent of stative-transitive, passive sentences, and causative predicates.
At the conclusion of our discussion on how に functions as an agent, we learned that に can in fact follow verbal expressions. By doing so, the verb becomes grammatically nominalized, but because the resultant noun is still verbal in nature, the “agent” becomes interpreted as a reason/purpose/cause for the main predicate of the sentence. Thus, the purpose-marker is born.
In Lesson 115, we briefly discussed how ～によって can be used to mark the agent. This is the combination of the agent-marker に and よる, which has various nuances including “to be caused by/to depend on/to be based on.” At its basic understanding, it helps fully establish that something is an agent, especially when other usages of に are present.
1. 原因 (Cause)・理由 (Reason): The first usage of ～によって is to objectively and indifferently present cause/reason. This speech pattern, thus, is not used so much in general conversation due to its lack of emotion. It is, however, perfectly appropriate for speaking in a technical manner.
In English, this usage translates as “due to.” Whenever it is used to directly modify a noun, you use ～による (Exs. 3-6).
Spelling Note: The Kanji spelling for this nuance is に因って.
1. 踏切での大きな衝突事故によって、運行に20時間の遅れが出た。
Due to a large collision at the railroad crossing, a 20-hour delay came out in operations.
2. このビルは大地震｛によって・で｝ばらばらに破壊された。
This building was destroyed to pieces [by/in] the big earthquake.
3. 過失による人身事故
Traffic accident caused by a blunder
4. 大地震による家屋倒壊は、すでに一万戸を超えているといわれる。
It's said that the number of homes that collapsed due to the big earthquake has already surpassed 10,000 homes.
5. 福島原発事故による放射能環境汚染
Environmental radioactivity pollution caused by the Fukushima Nuclear Accident
6. 牛インフルエンザによる死亡者が続出しています。
Deaths are occurring one after another due to cow influenza.
2. 手段 (Method): によって can also be used in the sense of “by” to express method. This usage has considerable overlap with the particle で, but because によって deals heavily in showing agents of happenstance, when method is being used in a way that is not a speaker literally using a tool/method, then only によって would be appropriate.
When modifying nouns directly with this meaning, ～によって takes either the form ～による or ～によっての.
7. インターネットにより世界のニュースを知る。
To know the world news by the Internet.
8. インターネット｛によって・で｝、人間は居ながらにして、世界を概観できる。
Through/with the internet, people can stay seated as they can survey the world.
9. 投票｛によって・で｝決めよう。
Let's decide by vote.
10. 大抵の成功は不断の努力によって得られる。
Most success is gained by ceaseless effort.
～によって VS ～を通じて・通して
There is some interchangeability between ～によって, ～を通じて, and ～を通して with Usage 2. ～によって places emphasis on the connection between the method and effect/result, which is in line with how the agent-maker に behaves. The latter two phrases, on the other hand, place emphasis on the process.
12. インターネット｛によって・を通じて・を通して｝、アルバムを販売する。
To sell albums by/via/through the Internet.
13. 選挙｛〇 によって・X を通じて・X を通して｝委員長になる。
To become the committee chairman by election.
3. 受身の動作主 (Agent of a Passive Structure): As we have already learned about, ～によって can be used with the passive form of a verb to show the agent (doer). If a sentence with a receiver (indirect object) is passivized, the agent must be marked by ～によって. Additionally, ～による is the only acceptable attribute form for this usage.
14. 田中さん｛〇 によって・X に｝岡田さんに手紙が送られました。
A letter was sent to Mr. Okada by Mr. Tanaka.
15. その仕事は加藤さんによってなされました。
The work was done by Mr. Kato.
16. ライトアップ｛によって・で｝夢幻的な光景が生み出された。
A dreamy scenery was created by/with a light-up.
17. 松本清張による小説
A novel by Matsumoto Seichō
4. 根拠 (Proof)・拠り所 (Basis): Following a rule/law/example/precedent/previous example/etc., it is used a lot to clearly show proof/basis. In this usage, ～による is the only acceptable attribute form. This should only be used when something clear is understood. It should not be used for mere hearsay.
18. 証言による真実
Truth according to testimony
19. 前例｛による・に基づく｝判決が下されることになる。
A judgment is to be made based on precedent.
5. 場合 (Circumstance)・相応変化 (Reasonable Change): This usage is perhaps the most common in the spoken language, equating to “depending on…” Both ～による and ～によっての are correct attribute forms, although the latter is more common in the spoken language.
20. 天候によっては中止もありえるでしょう。
Depending on the weather conditions, (the match) may possibly be canceled.
21. 時と場合に｛よっての・よる｝対処
Approach which depends on the time and circumstance
22. お金によって、人は変わるものです。
People change depending on money.
23. この仕事は販売数によって給料が変わります。
As for this job, one's salary changes depending on sales.
24. 板前長の腕によって、寿司の味の良し悪しが左右されます。
The quality of the flavor of sushi is dependent on the skill of the chef.
25. 含まれる材料によって、いろいろな味のラーメンがあります。
There are many flavors of ramen based on the ingredients put in it.
26. 人によって考えが違います。
Opinions vary from person to person.
27. 挨拶言葉はその日の天気によっていろいろ言えばよい。
It's best to say that there are various greetings based on the weather of the day.
28. 曜日によって授業が変わります。
Classes change depending on the day of the week.
29. 人によって好きなものと嫌いなものは異なります。
One's likes and dislikes differ from person to person.
30. 「でも、すごいのよ。二階の人が歩くと、天井がみしみしって鳴るの。窓枠も木だし、風向きによってはかたかた鳴って、すきま風が入ってくるみたい。ドアなんか、鍵なんかなくても体当たりすれば開きそうよ」
“But, it’s dreadful! When the people on the second-floor walk, the ceiling creaks. The window frame is made of wood, which makes it clatter in the wind, and it’s like a draft is coming in. The door, it seems like it’ll open if you charge at it even if there wasn't a lock."From 冷たい誘惑 by 乃南アサ.
～ず is an old negative auxiliary, and when it is paired with ～による, the resulting phrase gives a meaning of "in any situation everything/despite/regardless".
31. 何事によらず注意が肝心だ。
No matter what, attention is crucial.
32. 誰によらず人の不始末の尻拭いなどしたくはないよ。
No matter who it is, I don't want to reap the harvests off other people's misconduct.
～によると
Also seen as ～によりますと in extremely polite/formal speech, the most common usage of this is to mean "according to".
33. 新聞によると台風が接近中だった。
According to the newspaper, the typhoon was approaching.
34. （天気）予報によりますと、明日は晴れるそうです。
According to the weather report, it'll clear up tomorrow.
35. ニュースによると、朝は晴れだそうだ。
According to the news, morning will be clear skies.
36. 電灯の発明はエジソンによるとされている。
The invention of electric light is credited to Edison.
～によれば
A more direct and personal means of saying "according to" is ～によれば.
37.
お母さま方のために
古事記、日本書紀（記紀）によれば、 伊弉諾尊（男神）、伊弉冉尊（女神）二柱の大神による国生みの神話は、日本の国土誕生物語です。私たち日本人の祖先は、日本の国土は神様がお生みになり、住みやすく良い国に作りあげられたものと信じていました。ですから、日本の国土に住む日本人は、すべて神様の子としてかたく結ばれている意識が非常に強かったのです。
For Mothers
According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki (Kiki), the tale of the birth of our nation by the two-great kami Izanagi (male kami) and Izanami (female kami), is the creation story of Japan. Our Japanese ancestors that the kami created the Japanese land to make a great and easy to live country. That is why Japanese people living in the land of Japan felt a strong and tight binding connection to the land as all being children of the kami.
Citation Note: From かみさまのおはなし.
～によったら
～によったら would directly translate as "if it were according to." It is most common in the set phrase ことによったら, meaning "perhaps."
38. ｛ことによると・ことによったら｝列車が停止するかもしれません。
Perhaps the train might halt.