Structure
Verb[おう] + としたが(1) + Result
Verb[おう] + としたら + Result
(1) けれども、けれど、けども、けれども、けど
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
About Verb[volitional] + としたが
As mentioned in our ようとする lesson, when combined with the auxiliary verb う (or よう), とする carries the meaning of 'to try to do (A)', or 'to be about to do (A)'. The case marking particle と in this expression highlights a 'result'.
However, the addition of structures like the conjunction particles が, or たら, to the past tense of する will indicate that something interrupted (A), and therefore it was unable to be completed. In these cases, the translation becomes 'to have tried to do (A), but (B)', 'was about to (A), but (B), or 'was on the verge of (A), but (B)'.
However, the addition of structures like the conjunction particles が, or たら, to the past tense of する will indicate that something interrupted (A), and therefore it was unable to be completed. In these cases, the translation becomes 'to have tried to do (A), but (B)', 'was about to (A), but (B), or 'was on the verge of (A), but (B)'.
- クライアントに電話を掛けようとしたが、夜遅かったので朝まで待つことにした。I tried to make a phone call to our client, but it was late at night so I decided to wait until morning.
- 池で泳ごうとしたら、警察に止められた。I was stopped by the police when I was about to swim in the lake.
- 逃げようとしたけど、捕まったら大変なことになるから逃げなかった。I was about to run away, but if I got caught, it would have become a bigger deal, so I didn't.
Synonyms
Examples
僕と彼は同時にジャンプしようとしたけれど、失敗した。
He and I both tried to jump at the same time, but messed up.
私は彼女の手伝いをしようとしたが、断られた。
I tried to offer my help, but was rejected.
彼は徹夜しようとしたけれど寝てしまった。
He tried to pull an all-nighter, but fell asleep.
犯人は逃げようとしたが、すぐに警察が犯人を取り押さえた。
The criminal tried to run, but the police subdued him.
勉強しようとしたが、あまりにも疲れていたのでやめました。
I tried to study, but I was too tired and I gave up.
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All uses of volitional form and よう explained
BriefJapanese
ようとする vs. てみる
Tae Kim
Offline
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 210
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Verb[volitional] + としたが – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
seanblue
About 4 years ago
Johnathan-Weir
About 2 years ago
Yeah I’m kinda wondering too. All the sentences use the formal forms けれど or が except one.
Is this just a common way of using the phrasing or would it sound unnatural to use these in a friendly conversation?
Daru
About 1 year ago
They are all acceptable. It’s just that they’re mostly used with formal variants so its better to make it a habit to use the ‘fully formal’ variants rather than the informal. (Which is why we mark it as a hint and not a mistake.)
In the case of たら, there’s no informal way to state what たら states, that’s why its unchanged.
Hope this helps!
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