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Grammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 11

Structure of 事(こと)になる:

Verb + ことになる
［い］Adjective + ことになる
［な］Adjective + な + ことになる

Details about 事(こと)になる:

ことになる is an expression that combines the nominalizing use of こと (creating a noun-phrase), with the case marking particle に, and the う - Verb なる 'to become'. This expression can be translated as 'to become (A)', but has the nuance that someone/thing caused (A) to become that way. Due to this, it may also be translated as 'it has been decided that (A)', or 'it will end up being (A)'.
ことになる is primarily used with verbs and い-Adjectives in their attributive form. It may also be used with な-Adjectives followed by な.

なんでも後回(あとまわ)しにしているとあとから苦労(くろう)することになる。
If you wait until it is too late, you are going to end up regretting it.
そんなことをしたらとんでもないことになるよ。
If you do something like that, it is going to become a huge deal.
出来(でき)るだけ早(はや)く治療(ちりょう)をしないと、後(あと)から大変(たいへん)なことになる。
If you don't treat it soon, it is going to end up being a bigger issue.

The 'it has been decided that (A)' meaning only applies to verbs, as only verbs will be enacted by someone/thing.

事(こと)になる

Usage Notes for 事(こと)になる:

Synonyms for 事(こと)になる:

にする

To decide on, To choose, To make something into, To view something as

ようになる

To reach the point that, To come to be that, To turn into

に決まっている

Surely, Bound to, Certainly, Be decided

ことにする

To decide on, Have decided to

ことになっている

To be expected to, To be scheduled to

Example of 事(こと)になる

明日(あした)が雨(あめ)ならば、１週間(しゅうかん)降(ふ)り続(つづ)くことになる。

If it rains tomorrow, it will end up being a week straight of rain.

震災(しんさい)のため、アメリカに帰(かえ)らなければならないことになりました。

It was decided that I must return to America because of the earthquake.

インフルエンザにかかってしまったので、今日(きょう)の大会(たいかい)に出(で)れないことになった。

Since I got the flu I ended up being unable to attend today's tournament.

大変(たいへん)なことになったぞ。何(なに)か作戦(さくせん)を考(かんが)えなければ。

We ended up getting in trouble. We have to figure out a plan.

この前(まえ)のように風邪(かぜ)を引(ひ)いたら、また入院(にゅういん)することになるよ。

If you catch a cold like the last time, you will end up going to the hospital again.

Grammar same lesson

と言(い)える

Would or could say that..., Can probably say that..., Fair to say that...

report

に合(あ)わせて

In accordance with, Matching, Fitting, Suitable for, Adjust or tune to

report

ちゃんと

Properly, Neatly, Orderly, Sufficiently, Decently

report

かは〜によって違(ちが)う

Depends on, Changes depending on, Differ depending on

report

いくら～でも

No matter how (much)

report

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