〜ともなく/ともなしに
Without Intention
〜ともなく / 〜ともなしに is a formal expression used when someone does something without a clear intention (like staring blankly) or when the origin of something is unknown (like a sound from nowhere).
How It Works
This pattern is primarily used in literary or formal contexts (novels, essays) and is rarely heard in casual speech. It has two main uses:
1. Unintentional Action:
It attaches to the dictionary form of verbs. While it is most commonly used with verbs related to perception, thought, or utterance (seeing, hearing, thinking, saying), it can also attach to general action verbs like 待つ（まつ）, する, and 行く（いく）. It suggests the person is doing the action 'without really meaning to.' This often uses a repetitive structure where the same or a similar verb follows the pattern (e.g., 見る（みる）ともなく見る（みる）) to emphasize the absentminded nature of the act. In this repetitive structure, the second verb is typically in a continuous state (e.g., 見るともなく見ていたら) to set the background condition for an unexpected discovery, often marked by 〜たら or 〜と. Note that this pattern is typically restricted to the speaker's own actions or a third party observed closely by a narrator.
2. Indeterminate Source, Time, or Action:
When combined with an interrogative and a particle (e.g., 疑問詞 ＋ 助詞 ＋ ともなく), it indicates that the source, time, or recipient is unclear. This usage implies that the action happened spontaneously or naturally without a clear origin.
Example: どこからともなく (From somewhere or other / out of nowhere).
Additionally, there is a very common structure using an interrogative, a particle, and a verb: 疑問詞 ＋ 助詞 ＋ 動詞(辞書形) ＋ ともなく. This indicates doing something aimlessly.
Example: 何をする（なにをする）ともなく (Without doing anything in particular).
Note on Fixed Idioms:
You may occasionally see the structure [Noun A] とも [Noun B] ともなく, but this is not a productive grammar pattern. It is limited to fixed lexical idioms like 昼（ひる）とも夜（よる）ともなく (without distinction between day and night).
Morphology:
Both 〜ともなく and 〜ともなしに are functionally identical. 〜ともなしに is slightly more formal or archaic.
Examples (5)
- 見るともなくテレビを眺めていたら、突然自分の母校が映って驚いた。
While absentmindedly watching TV, I was surprised to see my old school suddenly appear on screen.
Word by Word: Watching-without-watching TV (object) was-gazing-if, suddenly self's alma-mater (subject) was-reflected-and was-surprised.
Here, 「見るともなく」 shows the speaker wasn't focused on the TV; they were just staring at it blankly. Note the repetition of the verb 「見る」 (to see) and 「眺める」 (to gaze) to emphasize the state.
- どこからともなく、懐かしい花の香りが漂ってきた。
From out of nowhere, a nostalgic scent of flowers wafted through the air.
Word by Word: From-where-without-even, nostalgic flower's scent (subject) drifted-came.
Using 「どこからともなく」 emphasizes that the exact origin of the smell is unknown. Notice the particle 「から」 between the interrogative and the pattern.
- 彼は誰にともなく、「疲れたなあ」と独り言を漏らした。
He muttered 'I'm tired' to no one in particular.
Word by Word: He (topic) to-who-without-even, 'tired-huh' (quotation) soliloquy (object) leaked.
The use of 「誰にともなく」 indicates he wasn't addressing a specific person. Again, the particle 「に」 is required here.
- 聴くともなしにラジオを流していたら、好きな曲が聞こえてきた。
While I had the radio on without really listening, my favorite song started playing.
Word by Word: Listening-without-listening radio (object) was-playing-if, favorite song (subject) became-audible.
This uses the 「〜ともなしに」 variation with a verb to show a lack of auditory focus.
- 言うともなく言った一言が、彼を傷つけてしまったようだ。
A single word I said without really thinking seems to have hurt him.
Word by Word: Saying-without-saying said one-word (subject), him (object) hurt-completely seems.
This demonstrates the pattern with a verb of utterance (言う), showing that the speaker didn't intend to make a serious or hurtful remark.
Common Mistakes
Using it for actions that cannot be intentional.
雨が降るともなく降っている。雨がしとしとと降っている。The pattern requires a verb that could be intentional (like looking, listening, or saying) to highlight the lack of that intention. Rain falling is a natural phenomenon, not a volitional act, so this pattern doesn't fit.
Adding an extra 「に」 to 「ともなく」.
見るともなくに外を見た。見るともなく外を見た。「ともなく」 is already in an adverbial form. You do not need to add 「に」 after it. If you want to use 「に」, use the 「〜ともなしに」 version instead.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The pattern 〜ともなく/ともなしに is used to describe an action done unconsciously or without a specific purpose (e.g., 'looking without really looking'). To understand it, learners need to be familiar with how verbs are nominalized to take particles, the inclusive/emphatic use of the particle 'mo', and the negative continuative form 'naku' which indicates the absence of intention or a specific state.
Related Patterns
- ことなくWithout Ever
Means 'without doing X' (the action never happens), whereas 〜ともなく means the action is happening, just without focus.
Level 3 - ながらWhile Doing
Used for simultaneous actions. While 〜ともなく often describes a background state while doing something else, 〜ながら implies more active participation in both tasks.
Level 2 - 〜ないうちにBefore/while Not
Means 'before X happens' or 'while X hasn't happened.' It shares a sense of boundary-less time but focuses on the window of opportunity rather than intent.
Level 3 - 〜ないまでもEven if Not
Means 'even if it doesn't reach the level of X.' This is about the degree of an action, while 〜ともなく is about the intention behind it.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice 〜ともなく/ともなしに in Bubblegum
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