N3Time and Sequence

V(辞書形/ている形/た形) + ところ(だ/です)

Q: Is "Using the wrong verb tense for the intended stage of action" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use the correct verb tense to match the intended stage of action". For example, if you want to describe an action that is about to happen, use the dictionary form of the verb. If you want to describe an action that is in progress, use the teiru form of the verb. If you want to describe an action that has just finished, use the ta form of the verb.

Q: Is "Confusing 'ta tokoro' (just finished) with 'ta bakari' (subjective 'just did')" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'ta tokoro' to describe an action that has just finished, and use 'ta bakari' to describe an action that you subjectively think has just finished". For example, 'ta tokoro' is used to describe an action that has objectively just finished, while 'ta bakari' is used to describe an action that you subjectively think has just finished.

Q: Is "Forgetting that this structure acts as a noun phrase" correct?

No. The correct form is "Remember that this structure acts as a noun phrase". For example, '今から出かけるところだ' is a noun phrase that describes a situation, rather than a verb phrase that describes an action.

about to/in the middle of/just finished

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "V(辞書形/ている形/た形) + ところ(だ/です)" is used to describe the specific stage of an action. The dictionary form of the verb indicates that the action is about to happen, the "ている形" (teiru form) indicates that the action is in progress, and the "た形" (ta form) indicates that the action has just finished. This pattern is often used to describe a situation or a state that is currently happening or has just happened. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's actions, a situation, or a state of being. The pattern can be used in formal and informal situations, but it is more commonly used in formal writing and speech.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
辞書形	V(辞書形) + ところだ	今から出かけるところだ
ている形	V(ている形) + ところだ	ちょうど今、昼ごはんを食べているところだ
た形	V(た形) + ところだ	たった今、バスが来たところだ

Examples

Example Sentences

今から出かけるところだので、後で電話する

Ima kara dekakeru tokoro da node, atode denwa suru

I'm about to leave, so I'll call you later

今から出かけるところだ (I'm about to leave) + ので (because) + 後で電話する (I'll call you later)

ちょうど今、昼ごはんを食べているところだ

Choudo ima, hirugohan o tabete iru tokoro da

I'm eating lunch right now

ちょうど今 (right now) + 昼ごはんを食べているところだ (I'm eating lunch)

たった今、バスが来たところだ

Tatta ima, basu ga kita tokoro da

The bus just arrived

たった今 (just now) + バスが来たところだ (the bus just arrived)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is commonly used in formal and informal situations to describe a situation or a state that is currently happening or has just happened. It can be used to describe a person's actions, a situation, or a state of being. The pattern can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's actions, a situation, or a state of being. It is more commonly used in formal writing and speech.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong verb tense for the intended stage of action

Use the correct verb tense to match the intended stage of action

For example, if you want to describe an action that is about to happen, use the dictionary form of the verb. If you want to describe an action that is in progress, use the teiru form of the verb. If you want to describe an action that has just finished, use the ta form of the verb.

Confusing 'ta tokoro' (just finished) with 'ta bakari' (subjective 'just did')

Use 'ta tokoro' to describe an action that has just finished, and use 'ta bakari' to describe an action that you subjectively think has just finished

For example, 'ta tokoro' is used to describe an action that has objectively just finished, while 'ta bakari' is used to describe an action that you subjectively think has just finished.

Forgetting that this structure acts as a noun phrase

Remember that this structure acts as a noun phrase

For example, '今から出かけるところだ' is a noun phrase that describes a situation, rather than a verb phrase that describes an action.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Make sure to use the correct verb tense to match the intended stage of action, and remember that this structure acts as a noun phrase. Also, be careful not to confuse 'ta tokoro' with 'ta bakari'.

Related Patterns

V(た形) + ばThis pattern is similar to the pattern 'V(た形) + ば', but it is used to describe a situation or a state that is currently happening or has just happened, rather than a situation or a state that is about to happen or has just finished.

In context