〜に沿って①（にそって）

About

(Noun)に沿そって is a combination of a noun, the に particle, and the verb 沿そう "to follow; to run alongside".

～に沿そって can be split into two main usages:

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  Usage ①: "So as not to stray from; to follow X; along X", where X is generally something that can be seen with the eye, e.g., "along the yellow line"

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  Usage ②: "In accordance with; based on X", where X is generally something that cannot be seen with the eye, such as a rule or a guideline.

This entry concerns usage ①.

E.g. 電車でんしゃをお待まちの方かたは、黄色きいろい線せんに沿そってお並ならびください。 "If you are waiting for the train, please line up along the yellow line."

E.g. この川かわに沿そって歩あるいて行いくと、桜並木さくらなみきがありますよ。 "If you walk along this river, there are rows of sakura trees."

E.g. 先さきほど渡わたした資料しりょうに沿そって、発表はっぴょうを進すすめていきます。 "I will continue the presentation in accordance with the materials I passed out earlier."

〜に沿そって can be used in casual, polite, and formal scenarios. In formal contexts, 〜に沿そい is more common than に沿そって.

Summary

• 

  ～に沿そって can be split into two main usages: ①: "So as not to stray from; to follow X; along X", where X is generally something that can be seen with the eye, e.g., "along the yellow line", ②: "In accordance with; based on X", where X is generally something that cannot be seen with the eye, such as a rule or a guideline

• 

  〜に沿そって can be used in casual, polite, and formal scenarios