Verb (dict. form) + ところです (About to do [Verb])

Core / Imminent Action & Point of Start

👀 Layer A: Visual Guide

📝 Quick Summary

This grammar pattern connects to the Dictionary Form of a verb to express that an action is about to start or is on the verge of happening (T-minus 0 seconds).

Structure: [Verb Dictionary Form] + ところです
Example 1: いまからひるごはんを たべるところです (I am about to eat lunch right now).
Example 2: これから でかけるところです (I am about to go out now).

🔗 Connected Grammar:

🔍 Layer B: Deepening

💡 Raya’s Hack

The 3-Stage Tokoro Timeline!
The word tokoro (ところ) means “a point in time.” By changing the verb form before tokoro desu, you can pinpoint the exact stage of an action:

1. Dictionary Form + ところです: About to start (たべるところです – about to eat)
2. 〜ている Form + ところです: In the middle of doing (たべているところです – in the middle of eating)
3. 〜た Form + ところです: Just finished (たべたところです – just finished eating)

Pair Dictionary Form + tokoro desu with time adverbs like これから (from now) or いまから (right now) for extra clarity!