Grammar
N2 connective

In accordance with 〜に従って

Meaning

"In accordance with ~"; also "as ~ progresses".

Formation

Notes

It does two jobs: parallel change, like につれて, and obedience to a rule, instruction or sign — 矢印に従って進む. That second sense is the one につれて cannot cover.

Examples

Please proceed following the arrows.

Breakdown
arrow (sign) in accordance with please proceed

I assembled it following the instructions.

Breakdown
instruction manual in accordance with assembled

The further north you go, the colder it gets.

Breakdown
north go as becomes cold

As income rises, so does tax. (〜に従い is the written form)

Breakdown
income increase as tax becomes high

I am taking the medicine as the doctor instructed.

Breakdown
doctor instructions in accordance with medicine am taking

⚠️ Often confused with

Together with / as 〜とともに

"Together with ~"; also "as ~ changes, so does …".

As ~ progresses 〜につれて

"As ~ progresses, …" — two things changing gradually in step.

Accompanying 〜に伴って

"Accompanying ~", "as a consequence of ~" — formal parallel change.