N3Time and Sequence

V(辞書形/た形) + ついでに / N + の + ついでに

Q: Is "Swapping the main action and the secondary action" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use the correct order of actions". For example, "切手を買ってきてくれませんか。スーパーへ行くついでに" is incorrect because it swaps the main action (buying stamps) and the secondary action (going to the supermarket).

Q: Is "Using with two unrelated actions that don't occur in the same location/time" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use actions that occur in the same location/time". For example, "散歩のついでに、朝食を食べた" is incorrect because it uses two unrelated actions (going for a walk and eating breakfast) that don't occur in the same location/time.

Q: Is "Forgetting 'の' for nouns" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'の' for nouns". For example, "部屋を掃除したついでに、古い写真を見つけた" is incorrect because it forgets the genitive particle 'の' for the noun '部屋の掃除'.

while you are at it/incidentally

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "V(辞書形/た形) + ついでに / N + の + ついでに" is used to express that you do a secondary action while you are primarily doing another action because it is convenient. The main purpose (A) is the primary action, and the extra task (B) is the secondary action. This pattern is often used in situations where you are doing something and, incidentally, you do something else. For example, you might go to the store (A) and, incidentally, buy some stamps (B).

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Dictionary form or -た form of the verb	V(辞書形/た形) + ついでに	行く + ついでに = 行くついでに
Noun	N + の + ついでに	散歩 + の + ついでに = 散歩のついでに
Noun	N + の + ついでに (with a noun that has a genitive particle)	部屋の掃除 + の + ついでに = 部屋の掃除のついでに

Examples

Example Sentences

スーパーへ行くついでに、切手を買ってきてくれませんか。

Sūpā e ikutsuide ni, kiretsu o kau tte kite kuremasen ka.

Will you buy some stamps for me while you're going to the supermarket?

スーパーへ行くついでに = While going to the supermarket

散歩のついでに、手紙を出してきた。

Sanpō no tsuide ni, tegami o dashite kita.

I went out for a walk and, incidentally, delivered a letter.

散歩のついでに = While going for a walk

部屋を掃除したついでに、古い写真を見つけた。

Heya o sōji shita tsuide ni, furui shashin o mitsuketa.

While cleaning the room, I found an old photo.

部屋を掃除したついでに = While cleaning the room

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to express that you do a secondary action while you are primarily doing another action because it is convenient. It is often used in situations where you are doing something and, incidentally, you do something else. The main purpose is the primary action, and the extra task is the secondary action. This pattern is similar to "V(辞書形/た形) + て + ついでに", but the latter is more formal.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Swapping the main action and the secondary action

Use the correct order of actions

For example, "切手を買ってきてくれませんか。スーパーへ行くついでに" is incorrect because it swaps the main action (buying stamps) and the secondary action (going to the supermarket).

Using with two unrelated actions that don't occur in the same location/time

Use actions that occur in the same location/time

For example, "散歩のついでに、朝食を食べた" is incorrect because it uses two unrelated actions (going for a walk and eating breakfast) that don't occur in the same location/time.

Forgetting 'の' for nouns

Use 'の' for nouns

For example, "部屋を掃除したついでに、古い写真を見つけた" is incorrect because it forgets the genitive particle 'の' for the noun '部屋の掃除'.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often tested in the reading comprehension section. Pay attention to the context and the relationship between the main action and the secondary action.

In context