〜とともに

First meaning: noun + とともに is the formal way of saying と一緒に — "together with someone/something": 家族とともにお正月を過ごす (spend New Year's together with one's family). You'll meet this form in writing, speeches, and song lyrics.

Second meaning: when A changes or happens, B changes or happens along with it — "along with, as": 年を取るとともに、体力が落ちる (as you get older, your strength declines). Before とともに comes a verb in the dictionary form or a noun denoting change (発展、成長…).

Within the set of four patterns expressing parallel change, とともに is the broadest: it works both for "together with a person" and for change. につれて is used only for GRADUAL change; にしたがって is similar but also carries the meaning "in accordance with"; に伴って is the most formal, usually tied to major events and upheavals. All four lean toward written language.

Examples

• 家族(かぞく)とともにお正月(しょうがつ)を過(す)ごしました。

  I spent New Year's together with my family.

• 年(とし)を取(と)るとともに、体力(たいりょく)が落(お)ちてきました。

  As I've gotten older, my strength has been declining.

• 気温(きおん)が上(あ)がるとともに、電気(でんき)の使用量(しようりょう)も増(ふ)えます。

  As the temperature rises, electricity consumption increases as well.

Related patterns

• 〜につれて
• 〜にしたがって
• 〜に伴って