〜ところだった

About

The ～ところだった pattern can attach to casual form verbs in either their dictionary form or casual negative form.

The ～ところだった pattern has two main usages:

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  ① Expressing that a negative outcome nearly happened

E.g. 卵たまごを買かい忘わすれるところだった。 "I nearly forgot to buy eggs."

• 

  ② Expressing that a positive outcome nearly happened

E.g. もう少すこしで頂上ちょうじょうに着つくところだったのに、雨あめで戻もどらないといけなくなった。 "Even though we were nearly about to summit, we had to go back due to the rain."

For usage ① ところだった is commonly combined with the phrases あと少すこしで, もう少すこしで, and 危あやうく.

For usage ② ところだった is commonly paired with のに, which adds to the regretful tone.

In casual situations, ところ can be shortened to とこ.

In polite situations, でした can be used in place of だった.

Summary

• 

  The ～ところだった pattern has two main usages: ① Expressing that a negative outcome nearly happened, and ② Expressing that a positive outcome nearly happened

• 

  In casual situations, ところ can be shortened to とこ

• 

  In polite situations, でした can be used in place of だった