When one thing changes, another thing changes too. They change together at the same time.
Verb [dictionary form] + につれPrimary
Noun + につれ
When one thing changes, another thing changes too. They change together at the same time.
頂上に近づくにつれ、空気は薄くなり、息が切れた。
As I neared the summit, the air grew thinner and I became short of breath.
都市部への人口集中が進むにつれ、様々な社会問題が生じている。
As the concentration of population in urban areas progresses, various social problems are arising.
年を取るにつれ、昔のことは覚えているが、最近のことは思い出せなくなる。
As one gets older, they remember things from the past, but become unable to recall recent events.
時代の変化につれ、人々の価値観も変わらないわけではない。
As times change, it's not that people's values don't also change.
練習を重ねるにつれ、彼のプレーはどんどん良くなっていった。
As he continued to practice, his playing improved more and more.
This grammar is a bit more formal. It is like wearing a suit instead of casual clothes. You use it more in writing or important talks. The other form, '〜につれて', is for everyday talking.
This is like '〜にしたがって'. But '〜につれ' is for things that change naturally. For example, 'as time passes'. '〜にしたがって' can be for things people choose to do. For example, 'as the plan moves forward, we will hire more people'. '〜にしたがって' also means 'following something'.
Don't use this when something happens all at once. For example, you can't say "as I graduate." Graduating is one single event.
Contrasts with(1)
More formal alternatives(3)
Track your mastery
Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.