JLPT N4 Grammar – Difference between “〜ところだ” and “〜ようとする”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜ところだ” and “〜ようとする”
2. 〜ところだ
3. 〜ようとする
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: Is there a difference between ”〜ところだ” and ”〜ようとする”?
A: ”〜ところだ” shows the timing of an action, while ”〜ようとする” expresses the intention or attempt before moving into the action. Let’s look at each in more detail.
〜ところだ (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
Indicates the “time position” of an action (just before, in progress, or just after)
[Rule]
Future: [V] Verb dictionary form + ところだ
Present: [V] Verb ている form + ところだ
Past: [V] Verb た form + ところだ
[Examples]
これから会社に向かうところです。（Just before）
I am about to go to the office.
今、料理を作っているところなんです。（In progress）
I am cooking now.
さっき家に帰ったところです。（Just after）
I just came home.
”〜ところだ” shows the timing of an action.
[Examples]
ご飯を食べるところです。
I am about to eat a meal.
⇒ It is just before starting the action of eating.
ご飯を食べているところです。
I am eating a meal.
⇒ The action of eating is in progress.
ご飯を食べたところです。
I just ate a meal.
⇒It is right after finishing the meal.
[Note]
”〜ところだ” is used for intentional actions or for changes that can be clearly recognized.
× 雨が降るところです。
⇒ This is incorrect, because it is uncertain whether it will really rain.
○ 雨が降りそうです。
It looks like it will rain.
Check out these related articles!
The difference between
”〜ところ” and ”〜ばかり”
The difference between
”〜ている” and ”〜ているところだ”
〜ようとする (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
Used to describe the state right before starting something
[Rule]
[V] Verb volitional form + と する
[Examples]
家を出ようとしたとき、電話が鳴りました。
When I was about to leave the house, the phone rang.
寝ようとしたとき、弟がドアをノックしてきました。
When I was about to go to bed, my younger brother knocked on the door.
頑張って漢字を覚えようとしています。
I am trying hard to remember kanji.
”〜ようとする” does not show the timing of the action itself but focuses on the speaker’s intention or attempt. Since it expresses the state just before starting the action, it is often used together with sentences where something unexpected happens right afterward.
[Examples]
買い物に行こうとしたとき、忘れ物に気が付きました。
When I was about to go shopping, I noticed I had forgotten something.
⇒ It emphasizes the moment just before going shopping.
電話に出ようとしたら切れてしまいました。
When I tried to answer the phone, the call was cut off.
帰ろうとしたときに、雨が降り出しました。
When I was about to go home, it started to rain.
Also, ”〜ようとする” can be used to mean “to make an effort to do something.”
In this case as well, it carries the nuance of being “just before starting the action.”
[Examples]
娘は嫌いな野菜を食べようとしています。
My daughter is trying to eat the vegetables she doesn’t like.
毎日1時間英語を勉強しようとしています。
I am trying to study English for one hour every day.
問題についてみんなで話し合おうとしています。
We are trying to discuss the problem together.
Let’s Compare
The following sentences are both grammatically correct, but what is the difference in nuance?
[Example]
①会社を出るところを、社長に呼び止められました。
② 会社を出ようとしたら、社長に呼び止められました。
① means “just about to leave the office, already heading toward the exit.”
The focus is on the timing of the action.
② means “the speaker was preparing to leave, but had not yet actually moved toward the exit.”
The focus is on the intention or attempt to leave.
Summary
[〜ところ]
- Used when an action is “just before happening,” “in progress,” or “just after finishing.”
- The focus is on the timing of the action.
[〜ようとする]
- Indicates the state just before moving into an action.
- It can also mean “to make an effort to do something,” showing the moment right before that effort begins.
- The focus is on the speaker’s intention or attempt.
Similer Articles
- JLPT N2・N4 Grammar – The difference between ”〜にくい”, ”〜づらい” and “〜がたい”
- JLPT N4・N5 Vocabulary – The difference between “聞けない” and “聞こえない”
- JLPT N4・N5 Grammar – The difference between “〜けど” and “〜のに”
- JLPT N3・N4 Grammar – The difference between “〜ように” and “〜通りに”
- JLPT N4 Vocabulary – The difference between “何でも” and “何も”
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