Meaning
Shows a decision or rule that comes from arrangements, schedules, or circumstances rather than only the speaker’s will.
Formation
- Dictionary form or ない + ことになる: 始まることになりました
- Somebody else decided, so ことになりました is the usual shape
When to use it
- Core use
- It has been decided for me
Example
来週から日本語の授業は九時から始まることになりました
It has been decided that Japanese class will start at nine from next week.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.