JLPT N3. Used in both conversation and writing depending on the usage.
よる is a grammatically versatile verb that means “according to”. It was introduced very briefly here when we met だそうだ。
日経によると、その会社が買収の標的だそうです。
According to the Nikkei, that company is the target of a takeover.
天気予報によると、雨が降るそうです。
The weather forecast said it would rain.
When connected to a noun is best translates as “as a result of”.
交通事故による影響で２時間も遅れてしまいました。
I was two hours late because of the traffic accident.
The literal translation: “By means of the effect according to the traffic accident I was late for as much as two hours”.
It’s worth remembering that we don’t have to useによる in the above sentence. の instead would also be perfectly natural.
交通事故の影響で２時間も遅れてしまいました。
I was two hours late because of the traffic accident.
数週間に続く深夜勤務によるストレスに苦しむ。
Suffer stress as a result of several weeks of late nights at work.
And used with the te form it is usually translated as “depending on”. Note that I’m giving these translations because they are more natural in English, but “according to” would logically fit into all of these sentences.
季節によって気候が違う。
The climate is different depending on the season.
言語は国によって違う。
Language is different depending on the country.
入試の結果によって入学が決まります。
Matriculation is determined by the results of the entrance examination.
One slight variation of the above the following:
～によっては～もある。
We use this structure to state a possible result in certain cases.
悪天気によっては、エベントを中止することもあります。
There are cases in which we will cancel the event due to bad weather.
Used in place of に with the passive, によって has a more formal ring and so would normally be used only in writing.
大塚さんは委員会によって選ばれた。
Otsuka-san was selected by the committee.
大塚さんは委員会に選ばれた。
Otsuka-san was selected by the committee.
アメリカはコロンブスによって発見されました。
America was discovered by Columbus