GRAMMAR DETAIL

ようにする

make an effort to; make sure to

Follows the dictionary or negative form of a verb to express a conscious effort to carry out a desired action.

Examples

体のために夜は早く寝るようにする。

For my health, I will make an effort to go to bed early at night.

今年から、野菜を毎日食べるようにした。

Starting this year, I made a point of eating vegetables every day.

忘れ物をしないようにします。

I will make sure not to leave anything behind.

Structure: A verb's dictionary form or ない form is followed by ようにする.
Basic usage: 忘れ物をしないようにします。 expresses an intention to take care not to leave things behind.

A consciously maintained practice
- 毎日歩くようにしている expresses a conscious practice of walking every day. It foregrounds attention to maintaining the behavior rather than merely reporting it.
Distinct from a change in ability
- 早く寝るようにする describes effort to carry out an action; 早く寝られるようになった describes becoming able to sleep early. Distinguish the effort from the resulting possibility.