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ようにする・ようになる: the difference

Meaning

To try to, To make sure to, To endeavor to

Past papers

Tested 12 times in past papers

Example

妻つまにばれないようにしてくれ!

Try not to let my wife find out about it!

Meaning

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

Past papers

Tested 12 times in past papers

Example

ちゃんと英語えいごを勉強べんきょうすれば、話はなせるようになる。

If you study English properly, you'll become able to speak it.

How to tell them apart

Versus 「ようになる」: 「ようにする」 is your own conscious effort; 「ようになる」 is a change that happens naturally over time: 「日本語が話せるようになった」 (I've come to be able to speak Japanese).

「毎日日本語を練習するようにしている」 is something you deliberately keep doing.

When advising others, 「〜ようにしてください」 is softer than 「〜てください」 and sounds like a reminder to take care.

All about ようにする ›All about ようになる ›