5 key grammar patterns
#1L46_G1
1. ～る ところです (About to ~ / Just about to ~)
Sentence Pattern
Vる + ところです
About to ~ / Just about to ~.
Emphasizes the timing of an action, treating [ところ] as an N.
The pattern [V-dictionary form + ところ] expresses that an action is just about to happen, emphasizing the moment right before it occurs.
It is often used with time expressions like [これから] (from now) and [（ちょうど）いまから] (just now/starting now).
Emphasizes the timing of an action, treating [ところ] as an N.
The pattern [V-dictionary form + ところ] expresses that an action is just about to happen, emphasizing the moment right before it occurs.
It is often used with time expressions like [これから] (from now) and [（ちょうど）いまから] (just now/starting now).
Example Sentences (1)
昼ごはんは もう 食べましたか。
いいえ、これから 食べる ところです。
いいえ、これから 食べる ところです。
→ Have you eaten lunch yet? No, I am just about to eat now.
#2L46_G2
2. ～ている ところです (In the middle of ~ing)
Sentence Pattern
Vている + ところです
In the middle of ~ing.
Used to describe an action that is currently in progress at a certain point in time, heavily emphasizing the exact moment the action is occurring (stronger than simply using V-ている).
It is often accompanied by the time adverb [いま] (now).
Used to describe an action that is currently in progress at a certain point in time, heavily emphasizing the exact moment the action is occurring (stronger than simply using V-ている).
It is often accompanied by the time adverb [いま] (now).
Example Sentences (1)
故障の 原因が 分かりましたか。
いいえ、今 調べて いる ところです。
いいえ、今 調べて いる ところです。
→ Have you found out the cause of the breakdown? No, I am currently investigating it right now.
#3L46_G3
3. ～た ところです (Just finished ~ing)
Sentence Pattern
Vた + ところです
Just finished ~ing.
Used to describe an action that has just been completed right at this exact moment.
This pattern can only be used with the time adverb [たったいま] (just now / a moment ago).
Used to describe an action that has just been completed right at this exact moment.
This pattern can only be used with the time adverb [たったいま] (just now / a moment ago).
Example Sentences (1)
8時の バスは もう 出ましたか。
はい、たった今 出た ところです。
はい、たった今 出た ところです。
→ Has the 8 o'clock bus already left? Yes, it just left a moment ago.
#4L46_G4
4. ～た ばかりです (Have just ~)
Sentence Pattern
Vた + ばかりです
Have just ~.
Used to describe an action that has recently been completed or finished.
The sense of 'not long ago' is entirely based on the speaker's subjective judgment (it could literally be a moment ago, or it could be months ago, but the speaker feels it is recent).
Used to describe an action that has recently been completed or finished.
The sense of 'not long ago' is entirely based on the speaker's subjective judgment (it could literally be a moment ago, or it could be months ago, but the speaker feels it is recent).
Example Sentences (2)
山田さんと 山本さんは 3ヶ月前に 結婚した ばかりです。
→ Ms. Yamada and Mr. Yamamoto just got married 3 months ago.
この カメラは 昨日 買った ばかりです。
→ I just bought this camera yesterday.
#5L46_G5
5. ～はずです (Must be ~ / Should be ~)
Sentence Pattern
Vる / Vない + はずです
Aい + はずです
Aな + はずです
N の + はずです
Must be ~ / Should be ~.
Based on some objective evidence or reasoning, the speaker judges that something is definitely true or certain to happen.
Based on some objective evidence or reasoning, the speaker judges that something is definitely true or certain to happen.
Example Sentences (1)
ミラーさんは 今日 来るでしょうか。
来る はずですよ。昨日 電話が ありましたから。
来る はずですよ。昨日 電話が ありましたから。
→ Do you think Mr. Miller will come today? He is definitely coming. I got a phone call from him yesterday.
