japanese.tips

〜ことにする vs 〜ことになる

〜ことにする indicates a conscious, voluntary personal decision made by the speaker. In contrast, 〜ことになる indicates that an outcome, rule, or change was decided externally by circumstances, another person, or a group decision, presenting the result as an objective reality. Swapping them shifts the statement from a deliberate personal choice to an externally arranged situation.

〜ことにする decide to

毎朝(まいあさ)、三(さん)十(じゅっ)分(ぷん)ジョギングすることにしました。

I decided to jog for thirty minutes every morning.

体(からだ)のために、甘(あま)いお菓子(かし)をやめることにする。

I have decided to quit eating sweets for my health.

〜ことになる it has been decided that; it turns out that

来月(らいげつ)から、大阪(おおさか)の支社(ししゃ)へ転勤(てんきん)することになりました。

It has been decided that I will transfer to the Osaka branch starting next month.

会議(かいぎ)の結果(けっか)、来週(らいしゅう)のイベントは中止(ちゅうし)することになった。

As a result of the meeting, it was decided that next week's event would be canceled.