Japanese with Manga
Learning through examples in manga

Past decision still in effect with 〜ことになっている

Grammar: Time and Sequence

ことになっている conveys that preceding action had been decided in the past and still remains in effect. It follows a verb in its plain form or a verb ending in ない.

Further Reading

Examples

Arranged to assist in a lab with 〜ことになっている

Manga panel from 美少女戦士セーラームーン showing example of Past decision still in effect with 〜ことになっている.
美少女戦士セーラームーン » Volume 5 » Page 235

Reika sees an unknown person in the old lab next to her class’s. She asks to woman if she’s an assistant.

せつな:
「いえ　学生(がくせい)です理学部(りがくぶ)の」
“No, I'm a student, in the science department.”
「こちらの研究室(けんきゅうしつ)のお手伝(てつだ)いをさせて頂(いただ)くことになって」
“It's arranged for me to help out in this lab.”

Hired to work for the summer with 〜ことになっている

Manga panel from 俺物語!! showing example of Past decision still in effect with 〜ことになっている.
俺物語!! » Volume 8 » Page 157

Rinko (Yamato) interviews for a summer job at her favorite cake shop. Following the interview, she is hired and is set to start work the next day. She’s excited at the various new techniques she’ll learn that she’ll use to make various sweets for her boyfriend, Takeo.

凛子(りんこ):
「それがいちばん楽(たの)しみかも」
“I think that's what I'm most looking forward to.”
たけお:
「大和(やまと)うれしそうだな」
“Yamato looks happy.”
「ずっと好(す)きだったケーキ屋(や)で働(はたら)けることになってよかった」
“I'm glad it's arranged that she'll be able to work at her most favorite cake shop.”

Scheduled to stay the night with 〜ことになっている

Manga panel from ふだつきのキョーコちゃん showing example of Past decision still in effect with 〜ことになっている.
ふだつきのキョーコちゃん » Volume 5 » Page 110

After a day playing at the beach, Hikari asks Shindou when someone is coming to pick everyone up. Shindou says it will be “tomorrow evening”.

神藤(しんどう):
「今日(きょう)はウチの別荘(べっそう)に泊(と)まることになっているって言(い)っただろう？」
“Didn't I say we're scheduled to stay the night at my villa?”
Scheduled to work outside at night with 〜ことになっている
シャドーハウス » Volume 2 » Page 66
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