Structure
Verb[る]+ ところだった
Verb[ない]+ ところだった
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About ところだった ①
As explained in the ところ grammar point, ところ is a noun that is often used to highlight the situation within which a verb is 'about to' happen (when that verb appears in its non-past form). However when followed by だった, it emphasizes that the thing that was 'about to' happen never actually eventuated (or that another more important event happened at that moment). This can be translated as 'to almost (A)', or 'to be on the verge of (A)'.
- やばい、大事な書類を捨てるところだった。Oh shoot, I was just about to throw away an important document.
- 毒キノコを食べるところだったが、きのこに詳しい友達が止めてくれた。I was about to eat a poisonous mushroom, but a friend that is very knowledgeable about mushrooms stopped me.
- この電車に間に合ってよかった。もう少しで待ち合わせ時間に間に合わないところだった。I am so glad that we made this train. I was about to be late for the meet up.
- 現金が足りなくて家賃が払えないところだった。I was about to not be able to pay my rent because I didn't have cash.
Synonyms
Examples
もう少しで船からおちるところだった。
I nearly fell off the ship (had I been a little closer to the edge).
ちょうど電車が発車するところだった。
It was right when the train was about to depart.
危うく遅刻するところだった。
I was on the verge of being late.
危うく(narrowly, barely) emphasizes ところだった further.
眠りに入るところだったのに、電話で起こされた。
I was just about to go to sleep, but was woken up by a phone call.
発見が遅れたら、危うく死ぬところだった。
I would have been on the verge of dying had they not found me sooner.
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Vる + ところだった
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[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
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ところだった ① – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
mrnoone
About 3 years ago
@ljoekelsoey
Hey
It works as wellI hope it helps,
Cheersljoekelsoey
About 3 years ago
Great! I wonder if that could be added as I keep getting tripped up by that in the reviews
mrnoone
About 3 years ago
@ljoekelsoey
Added as an alternative answer!
Cheers
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