Making an effort to with 〜ようにする

Usage Notes

ようにする follows the dictionary form or ない-form of a verb. For something to avoid, 〜ないようにする is the usual choice. Potential verbs fit too, as in 使(つか)えるようにする, “make it usable”.

The continuing form 〜ようにしている describes an ongoing practice: something someone takes care to do regularly, or whenever a certain situation comes up.

The past 〜ようにした can mean that someone started making a point of something, or that they made a one-time arrangement. Context decides which.

〜ようにしてください asks the listener to take care to do something, or to make sure it happens. It’s common in advice, reminders, and rules. Its point isn’t politeness: it asks for care toward an outcome, and from a teacher or on a sign it reads as an instruction.

Formation

Making a Point of Doing Something

With the dictionary form, ようにする says someone will make an effort to do something. With the ない-form, it says they’ll take care not to. It often states a resolution: これからは遅(おく)れないようにするよ, “From now on, I’ll make sure not to be late.” English uses “make a point of”, “try to”, or “make sure to”.

〜ないようにしないと and 〜ないようにしなきゃ, “I’ve got to make sure not to …”, are common in dialogue when someone reminds themselves to be careful.

Nishikata is sleepy on his day off, but Chii keeps begging him to play. Takagi suggests hide-and-seek, and Nishikata agrees on the condition that Chii is the seeker. Once the game starts, he grins to himself that this is easy. He can sleep while he hides, under the covers of his bed.

西片(にしかた):

「音(おと)とかでバレないようにしなきゃな。」

“I've gotta make sure I don't give myself away with noise or anything.”

View Full Example

Chii is the seeker in a game of hide-and-seek, and Nishikata plans to nap under the covers while he hides. バレないようにしなきゃ is “I’ve got to make sure I don’t get found”. He’s reminding himself to be careful, so he creeps into bed without a sound.

An Ongoing Practice with ようにしている

〜ようにしている describes something someone takes care to do as a regular practice. It can be a daily habit, as in 知(し)らない言葉(ことば)はすぐ調(しら)べるようにしている, “I make a point of looking up words I don’t know right away.” It can also be something done whenever a certain situation comes up.

Komura and Mie have spent the day at the aquarium. Now the two of them are walking together outside.

三重(みえ):

「それでね」

“So, um...”

「ホラー映画(えいが)苦手(にがて)なんだけど」

“I'm no good with horror movies, but...”

「最近(さいきん)はちょっと観(み)てみるようにしてるの」

“...lately I've been making a point of trying to watch them a little.”

小村(こむら):

「えっ…なんで？」

“Huh...? Why?”

View Full Example

After leaving the aquarium with Komura, Mie admits she’s no good with horror movies. 最近(さいきん)はちょっと観(み)てみるようにしてるの is “lately I’ve been making a point of trying to watch them a little.” She isn’t describing one movie night. She has taken up watching horror as a practice, despite the fear.

Asking Someone to Make Sure

〜ようにしてください asks the listener to take care to do something, or to make sure something happens. It fits advice and standing rules: 無理(むり)をしないようにしてください, “Please try not to overdo it.” Casual speech uses 〜ようにしてね, blunt speech uses 〜ようにしろ(よ), and 〜ようにしましょう is common in notices.

It isn’t a politeness device. It asks the listener to take care that something happens, rather than to perform one action on the spot. That can be a regular practice or a single occasion, like arriving on time for one appointment.

Chinatsu has moved into Taiki’s family’s house. At badminton practice the next day, he’s in high spirits. His friend Kyo is aware of the living arrangement.

匡(きょう):

「浮(う)かれんのもわかるけど」

「同居(どうきょ)のこと周(まわ)りにバレないようにしろよ」

“I get why you're walking on air, but...”

“...make sure nobody around here finds out you two live together.”

View Full Example

Taiki’s crush Chinatsu has moved into his family’s house, and his friend Kyo is in on the secret. Kyo gets that Taiki is giddy about it, but he warns him: バレないようにしろよ, “make sure nobody finds out”. Kyo isn’t naming one thing to do. He wants Taiki to take care that the living arrangement never gets out.

Arranging Things So Something Can Happen

ようにする can also mean setting things up so that something happens or becomes possible. The clause before it often has its own subject, as in 母親(ははおや)は息子(むすこ)がその部屋(へや)に入(はい)らないようにした, “The mother made sure her son wouldn’t go into that room.” The verb doesn’t have to describe a deliberate act. Potential forms and non-volitional verbs like 動(うご)く “move” are common: ソファで寝(ね)られるようにした, “I made it so someone could sleep on the sofa.”

This use doesn’t mean giving anyone a direct order. In 太郎(たろう)が部屋(へや)に入(はい)るようにする, the speaker might leave the door unlocked or put a snack inside so that Taro will go in. Ordering him in takes the causative instead: 太郎(たろう)を部屋(へや)に入(はい)らせる.

During a test of courage in a cave, Sakura’s classmates vanish one by one. Li senses a Clow Card near the shrine by the spring at the end of the cave, and he lights a candle with fire magic so they can see. The bridge across the water to the shrine has burned. Sakura suggests flying over with the Fly card, but Li says they should approach quietly so the card won’t notice them. He chants a spell, and sparkles swirl around both their feet. Then Li steps out onto the water, and Sakura cries out his name.

桜(さくら):

「それも李(り)君(くん)の魔法(まほう)？」

“Is that your magic too, Li?”

小狼(シャオラン):

「おまえも歩(ある)けるようにした」

「早(はや)くこい」

“I made it so you can walk on it too.”

“Hurry up and come on.”

View Full Example

The bridge to the shrine has burned, so Li casts a spell and steps out onto the water. When Sakura asks if that’s his magic too, he answers おまえも歩(ある)けるようにした, “I made it so you can walk on it too.” Li did the arranging, but Sakura is the one who can now walk. Li hasn’t made her do anything, so he still has to tell her to hurry up and come.

Related Grammar

• Doing for a reason with 〜ように
  • Purpose ように states the goal of a separate action; ようにする makes the goal itself what someone works toward.
• Coming to do with 〜ようになる
  • ようになる describes reaching a new state; ようにする describes effort or arrangements aimed at it.
• Doing in advance with 〜ておく
  • ておく names an action done to prepare or to keep a state in place; ようにする names the result that someone works toward.