N2Grammar

ところだった ②

Was just about to do something, Was in the middle of...

Structure

Verb［る］ + ところだった

Explanation

Attaching ところだった to the dictionary form of a verb expresses that an action was on the verge of occurring. It is commonly translated as 'was on the verge of (A)' or 'almost did (A)'. This structure often implies that the expected outcome, whether good or bad, was narrowly avoided because something intervened.

This grammar is formed from ところ, meaning 'point' or 'verge', and the past tense form だった. It emphasizes that the speaker was at the very point or in the specific situation of (A) just before the situation changed.

もう少(すこ)しで階段(かいだん)から落(お)ちるところだった。
I was just about to fall down the stairs.
大事(だいじ)な会議(かいぎ)のことを忘(わす)れるところだった。
I almost completely forgot about the important meeting.

When a desired result was narrowly missed, のに is frequently added after ところだった. This expresses a sense of frustration or disappointment, similar to saying 'I was so close to (A), but then (B) happened...'.

もう寝(ね)るところだったのに、友達(ともだち)から電話(でんわ)がかかってきた。
I was just about to go to sleep, but then my friend called.
ゲームに勝(か)つところだったのに、最後(さいご)にミスをしてしまった。
I was so close to winning the game, but I made a mistake right at the end.

Examples

もう少(すこ)しで車(くるま)にひかれるところだった。

I almost got hit by a car.

危(あや)うく大事(だいじ)なファイルを消(け)してしまうところだった。

I was just about to accidentally delete an important file.

ちょうど買(か)い物(もの)に行(い)くところだったから、ついでに買(か)ってくるよ。

Since I was just about to go shopping, I'll buy it for you while I'm out.

夢(ゆめ)をあきらめるところでしたが、あなたの言葉(ことば)で勇気(ゆうき)が出(で)ました。

I was about to give up on my dream, but your words gave me courage.

やっとレポートを書(か)き終(お)えたところだったのに、パソコンがフリーズした。

I had just finished writing my report when my computer froze.

友人(ゆうじん)が止(と)めてくれなかったら、その詐欺(さぎ)にひっかかるところだった。

If my friend hadn't stopped me, I would have fallen for that scam.

夕食(ゆうしょく)を料理(りょうり)しているところだったので、玄関(げんかん)のチャイムが聞(き)こえなかった。

Because I was in the middle of cooking dinner, I didn't hear the doorbell.

あのシャツを買(か)うところだったが、財布(さいふ)を忘(わす)れたことに気(き)づいた。

I was just about to buy that shirt, but I realized I had forgotten my wallet.

もう帰(かえ)るところだったけど、部長(ぶちょう)に呼(よ)び止(と)められた。

I was just about to head home, but my manager called me over.

映画(えいが)のクライマックスが始(はじ)まるところだったのに、停電(ていでん)した。

The climax of the movie was just about to start, but then the power went out.

電車(でんしゃ)に乗(の)り遅(おく)れるところだったが、ぎりぎり間(ま)に合(あ)った。

I was just about to miss the train, but I made it just in time.

熱(あつ)いコーヒーをこぼしているところだったよ。気(き)をつけて！

You were just about to spill your hot coffee. Be careful!