Depending on: -에 따라(서)

At its core, -에 따라(서) connects a noun to a following clause. The noun serves as the "standard" or "reason for variation." The particle 서 is optional and often dropped in casual speech, though including it can make the sentence feel a bit more complete in formal writing. There are two main ways this grammar behaves. First, it shows variety. For example, 사람에 따라 생각이 달라요 (Thoughts differ depending on the person). Second, it shows a result following a rule or a manual. For example, 규칙에 따라 행동하세요 (Act according to the rules). It is like a grammar traffic light; the color of the light (the standard) dictates what the cars (the outcome) do next. If you want to use it with a verb, you usually need to turn that verb into a noun first using -(으)ㅁ or use the -느냐에 따라 pattern for questions. But for now, let's master the noun version, which is the most common way you'll encounter it in daily life.

1. 1Identify the Noun that acts as your standard. This is the thing that causes the change (e.g., 날씨, 가격, 기준).
2. 2Simply attach -에 따라 or -에 따라서 directly to the Noun. There are no tricky consonant or vowel rules here! Even a beginner can handle the attachment part.
3. 3Add your following clause that describes the variation or the action being taken. Usually, this clause contains words like 다르다 (to be different), 변하다 (to change), or 결정되다 (to be decided).
4. 4Example: 결과 (Result) + -에 따라 + 선물이 달라져요 (The gift changes) = 결과에 따라 선물이 달라져요. (Depending on the result, the gift changes.)
5. 5If using a Verb like 가다, change it to 가는지에 따라 (depending on whether you go) or 감에 따라 (as you go/following the going). Stick to the Noun + -에 따라 for 90% of your needs!

Use this when you want to highlight that something isn't fixed. It is perfect for talking about trends, personal preferences, or official procedures. Imagine you are at a Korean restaurant. You might ask if the side dishes change daily: 요일에 따라 반찬이 바뀌나요? (Do the side dishes change depending on the day of the week?). Or maybe you are in a job interview and need to explain your strategy: 상황에 따라 대처 방법이 다릅니다 (Depending on the situation, the way I handle things differs). It is also great for scientific or social observations, like saying 시간이 흐름에 따라 기술이 발전해요 (As time flows, technology develops). It is the ultimate tool for avoiding over-generalizations. It shows you understand that the world is nuanced and that outcomes aren't always black and white. It is also very common in news reports or textbooks to explain cause-and-effect relationships based on data or laws.

Don't use -에 따라 when you are stating a simple reason that doesn't involve variety or a standard. For a direct cause, stick to -기 때문에 or -(으)니까. For example, if you are late because of traffic, say 교통 체증 때문에 늦었어요. Using -에 따라 here would imply that your lateness varies systematically with traffic levels, which sounds weirdly clinical. Also, avoid using it when you are just following a person physically. If you are following a friend down the street, use 친구를 따라서. The particle 를/을 is for physical following, while 에 is for abstract standards. This is a classic trap! Finally, don't use it for quoting a source of information. If you heard the news from the TV, use -에 의하면 (According to [source]). -에 따라 is for the *standard of change*, not the *source of information*. Think of it like this: if you can't replace the phrase with "Depending on," you probably shouldn't use -에 따라.

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, so don't beat yourself up! The most frequent error is confusing -에 따라 with -을 따라. Remember: 길을 따라 means you are walking along a physical road. 규칙에 따라 means you are obeying abstract rules. If you use the wrong particle, your Korean friends might think you are literally walking on top of a rule book! Another mistake is forgetting that the following verb needs to show some kind of change or variety. If you say 날씨에 따라 우산을 샀어요, it sounds incomplete. You should say 날씨에 따라 우산을 살지 말지 결정해요 (I decide whether to buy an umbrella depending on the weather). It is like trying to use a "depends on" without saying what it depends on. Keep the outcome dynamic! Also, be careful with the formal -(으)ㅁ에 따라. It sounds very robotic in a casual chat at a cafe. Save the formal version for your thesis or a business report. In daily life, the simple -에 따라 is king.

How is this different from -에 의하면? Both can be translated as "according to" in English, which is super confusing. But here is the secret: -에 의하면 is for evidence. You use it when you are about to say something you read in the paper or heard on the news. -에 따라 is for a standard that influences an outcome. Use -에 의하면 when reporting; use -에 따라 when explaining variety. What about -에 달렸다? That means "It depends on [Noun]," but it's usually the end of a sentence. 성공은 노력에 달렸어요 (Success depends on effort). -에 따라 is a connector that continues the sentence. Think of -에 따라 as a bridge and -에 달렸다 as a destination. Lastly, compared to -(으)면, -에 따라 focuses more on the *standard* itself rather than just the *if-condition*. It implies a more systematic relationship between the input and the output.