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包み込むようにして、彼を抱きしめる
包み込むように 彼を抱きしめる
The example could either use ようにして or 包み込むように抱きしめる（albeit written differently). What is the difference between these two usages? Can anyone explain the usage of ようにする as I can't seem to find it in any Japanese dictionary. (I've seen some explanations for this in English but I generally try to avoid random explanations about Japanese grammar on the internet because they normally don't go into enough detail and only explain one usage.)
"包み込むようにして彼を抱きしめる" means the same thing as "包み込むように彼を抱きしめる" or that you set something so that it wraps him and then hold him.
If there are several uses for the 〜ようにする construct, then I could be way off... but here is one explanation from an N3 grammar study book* that I have been using:
〜ようにする
Expresses the act of making an effort to do something habitually.
Example
健康のために、野菜を食べるようにしています。
I try to eat more vegetables for the sake of my health.
Edit: On the same page, it describes 〜ように
〜ように
To aim for a certain situation or result.
Example
早く起きられるように、今晩なるベく早く寝ます。
I'm going to bed as early as possible tonight so I can wake up early tomorrow.
Since I am not super well-versed in using these myself, I can't really elaborate further. But, hopefully this will help you enough.
*ISBN: 978-4-86392-036-1
