Examples
Meaning
〜ことになっている means that something is arranged, scheduled, or established as a rule. It describes a decision or rule that already exists.
Formation
Use the dictionary form or negative form of a verb before ことになっている. In polite speech, use ことになっています.
Usage
Use this pattern for company rules, school rules, social arrangements, reservations, appointments, and schedules. It is common when explaining what people are expected to do.
Nuance
This pattern does not focus on who made the decision. It focuses on the current arrangement or rule. Because of that, it can sound softer than directly ordering someone.
Comparison
〜ことになる describes the decision becoming set. 〜ことになっている describes the state after that decision is already set. 明日会うことになりました means it was decided that we will meet tomorrow. 明日会うことになっています means we are scheduled to meet tomorrow.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using this pattern for a personal wish or casual intention. For personal intention, use 〜つもりだ, 〜予定だ, or 〜ことにする depending on the meaning.
Related Grammar
〜ことになる
〜ことになる means that something has been decided or arranged, often by circumstances, a group, or someone other than the speaker alone.
〜ことにする
〜ことにする means to decide to do or not do something. It emphasizes the speaker's or subject's own decision.
〜ことにする・〜ことになるの違い
This page explains the difference between 〜ことにする and 〜ことになる: deciding by oneself versus having something decided or arranged.