When learning Japanese, one very useful grammar pattern is ～ようにする. It’s often used to talk about making an effort, trying to form a habit, or deciding to do (or not do) something regularly. If you want to express “I’ll try to…” or “I make sure to…,” this is the phrase you need!

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The Meaning of ～ようにする

The structure ～ようにする shows that someone is making an effort or a conscious choice to do something. It doesn’t guarantee success, but it shows intention and habit-building.

• “to try to…”
• “to make an effort to…”
• “to make sure to…”

Think of it as setting a personal rule or goal.

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How to Form ～ようにする

You attach it to the dictionary form of a verb (or the negative form).

• Verb (dictionary form) + ようにする
• Verb (ない form) + ようにする

Examples:

• 早はやく寝ねる ようにする。
  I try to go to bed early.
• 忘わすれない ようにする。
  I make sure not to forget.
• 毎日運動まいにちうんどうする ようにしています。
  I make a habit of exercising every day.

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Using the Negative

You can also use ～ないようにする to show you are making an effort not to do something.

• 甘あまい物ものを食たべない ようにしている。
  I try not to eat sweets.
• 遅刻ちこくしない ようにする。
  I make sure not to be late.

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Difference Between ～ようにする and ～ようになる

This is a common question!

• ～ようにする = you decide or try to do something (your own effort).
• ～ようになる = something naturally changes, or a new ability/habit develops (not necessarily conscious effort).

Example:

• 毎日日本語まいにちにほんごを勉強べんきょうする ようにしている。
  I try to study Japanese every day. (my effort)
• 日本語にほんごが話はなせる ようになった。
  I became able to speak Japanese. (a new ability has developed)

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More Example Sentences

• 健康けんこうのために、水みずをたくさん飲のむ ようにしている。
  For my health, I try to drink a lot of water.
• 出でかける前まえに電気でんきを消けす ようにしてください。
  Please make sure to turn off the lights before leaving.
• 毎朝まいあさ、日記にっきを書かく ようにする。
  I’ll try to write in my diary every morning.

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Quick Summary

• Use ～ようにする to talk about effort, habits, or making sure to do something.
• Attach it to dictionary form (positive) or ない form (negative) of verbs.
• Expresses intention and effort, not guaranteed results.
• Compare with ～ようになる: effort vs. natural change.

✅ If you want to sound more natural when talking about your habits or goals in Japanese, start practicing with ～ようにする in daily conversation!

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