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Without intending to; aimlessly
Definition
The grammar pattern 'V-辞書形 + ともなく' is used to express an action done without a clear purpose or an origin that is not clearly specified. It often implies a sense of aimlessness or lack of intention. This pattern is commonly used in the form 'V-tomonaku V', where the first verb is in the dictionary form and the second verb is in the dictionary form as well, followed by 'ともなく'.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb in dictionary form | V-辞書形 + ともなく | 見る (miru) + ともなく |
| Verb in dictionary form | V-辞書形 + ともなく | 書く (kaku) + ともなく |
| Interrogative verb | Interrogative + ともなく | どこから + ともなく |
Examples
窓の外を眺めるともなく眺めていたら、ふと昔のことを思い出した。
Mado no soto o nagameru tomonaku nagemete ita ra, fu to mukashi no koto o omoi dashita.
I was gazing out the window without intending to, and suddenly I remembered something from the past.
窓の外を眺める (gazing out the window), ともなく (without intending to), 眺めていたら (while gazing), ふと (suddenly), 昔のことを思い出した (remembered something from the past)
どこからともなく花の香りが漂ってきた。
Doko kara tomonaku hana no kaori ga kie te kita.
The scent of flowers came from somewhere without a clear origin.
どこから (from somewhere), ともなく (without a clear origin), 花の香り (scent of flowers), 漂ってきた (came)
テレビを見るともなく見ていたら、自分の出身地が映っていた。
Terebi o miru tomonaku mite ita ra, jibun no shusshinchi ga ayaite ita.
I was watching TV without intending to, and suddenly my hometown was on screen.
テレビを見る (watching TV), ともなく (without intending to), 見ていたら (while watching), 自分の出身地 (my hometown), が映っていた (was on screen)
Context
This pattern is used to express an action done without a clear purpose or an origin that is not clearly specified. It is often used in situations where the speaker is not intentionally doing something, but it happens anyway. The pattern can be used in both formal and informal situations.
Watch out
'Koto naku' is used to express that something is not done, whereas 'tomonaku' is used to express the lack of intention behind an action.
'To wa naku' is a different pattern that is used to express the negation of a specific thing, whereas 'tomonaku' is used to express the lack of intention behind an action.
'Tomonaku' is used to express the lack of intention, so it should not be used to describe intentional actions.
Strategy
When using 'tomonaku' in the JLPT exam, make sure to use it correctly to express the lack of intention. Pay attention to the context and the other words in the sentence to ensure that you are using the pattern correctly.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-辞書形 + ともなく / Interrogative + ともなく used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
窓の外を眺めるともなく眺めていたら、ふと昔のことを思い出した。
Pattern used: ともなく
The repetition of the verb around 'tomonaku' emphasizes the aimless nature of the action.
どこからともなく、花の香りが漂ってきた。
Pattern used: ともなく
'Doko kara tomonaku' is a set phrase meaning 'from nowhere in particular'.
テレビを見るともなく見ていたら、自分の出身地が映っていた。
Pattern used: ともなく
It describes watching TV passively without a specific program in mind.
Interactive
窓の外を眺める______眺めていたら、ふと昔のことを思い出した。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.