う・よう + としたが
Tried to ~ but ~, Was about to ~ but ~, Was going to ~ but ~
Structure
Verb［おう］ + としたら + Result
(1) けれども、けれど、けれども、けど
Explanation
As we saw in the lesson on ようとする, this pattern uses the volitional form of a verb (う/よう) plus とする to convey an attempt, meaning 'to try to do (A)', or that an action is imminent, 'to be about to do (A)'. The case marking particle と points toward a specific outcome or action.
When the past tense, した, is used with conjunction particles like が or たら, it signifies that the attempted action (A) was prevented by some other event (B). Consequently, the action could not be finished. This changes the meaning to 'tried to do (A), but (B) happened', or 'was just about to (A), when (B) happened'.
- そのTシャツを買おうとしたが、お金が足りなかったので、あきらめた。I was going to buy that T-shirt, but I didn't have enough money, so I gave up.
- 家を出ようとしたら、友達から電話がかかってきた。Just as I was about to leave the house, I got a call from a friend.
- 何か言おうとしたけど、けんかになりそうだったから、黙っていた。I was on the verge of saying something, but it looked like it would turn into a fight, so I stayed quiet.
The volitional forms う and よう express a person's will to do something. Adding とする introduces the sense that this will is being put into action. For this reason, when an action in the ようとする form is interrupted, the interrupting event (B) often feels sudden or unexpected.
Examples
瓶の蓋を開けようとしたが、硬くて開かなかった。
I tried to open the jar lid, but it was too tight and wouldn't budge.
友達に電話しようとしたけど、電源が入っていなかった。
I tried to call my friend, but their phone was off.
バスに乗ろうとしたけれど、満員で乗れなかった。
I tried to get on the bus, but it was full and I couldn't.
ホテルを予約しようとしたが、満室だった。
I tried to book a hotel, but it was fully booked.
写真を撮ろうとしたが、カメラのバッテリーが切れた。
I was about to take a picture, but the camera battery died.
大事なことを言おうとしたけれど、彼に遮られた。
I was going to say something important, but he interrupted me.
プレゼントを渡そうとしたが、彼女はもう帰ってしまっていた。
I was going to give her the present, but she had already gone home.
デザートを注文しようとしたが、売り切れだった。
I tried to order dessert, but it was sold out.
朝早く起きようとしたけれど、寝坊してしまった。
I tried to get up early this morning, but I overslept.
カードで払おうとしたが、利用できなかった。
I tried to pay by card, but it was declined.
子供はボールを捕まえようとしたが、取り逃してしまった。
The child tried to catch the ball, but missed it.
嫌な記憶を忘れようとしたけれど、どうしても思い出してしまう。
I tried to forget the bad memory, but I just keep remembering it.