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
- ことになる Japanese Grammar Lesson (wildnihongo.com)
Examples
Arranged to assist in a lab with 〜ことになっている
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 学生です理学部の」
- “No, I'm a student, in the science department.”
- 「こちらの研究室のお手伝いをさせて頂くことになって」
- “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
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:
- 「それがいちばん楽しみかも」
- “I think that's what I'm most looking forward to.”
- たけお:
- 「大和うれしそうだな」
- “Yamato looks happy.”
- 「ずっと好きだったケーキ屋で働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
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:
- 「今日はウチの別荘に泊まることになっているって言っただろう？」
- “Didn't I say we're scheduled to stay the night at my villa?”
