ようとしている
About to
The pattern 〜ようとしている indicates that something is on the verge of occurring. It captures the moment right before a threshold is crossed, often with a dramatic or objective tone.
How It Works
This pattern is used to describe a state where an event is imminent. It is formed by taking the volitional form of a verb and adding としている。
Key Characteristics:
- Imminence: It shows that the 'final countdown' has begun. The action is starting to happen or the change is about to be completed.
- Objective/Formal: It is frequently used in news, novels, and formal speeches. It sounds more dramatic and objective than everyday expressions.
- Non-Volitional Use: Unlike the simple volitional form, this can be used with natural phenomena (e.g., the sun setting, the year ending) to show a state of change.
- Intentional Use: With human subjects, it can mean the person is in the middle of trying to start an action.
- Past Tense Usage: The form 〜ようとしていた is very common. It is used to describe an action that was just about to happen but was interrupted or failed to occur (e.g., 'I was just about to leave when the phone rang').
Conjugation Reminder:
- Group 1 (u): 行く（いく） → 行こう（いこう）としている
- Group 2 (ru): 食べる（たべる） → 食べよう（たべよう）としている
- Irregular: する → しようとしている; 来る（くる） → 来よう（こよう）としている
Examples (4)
- 電車が今、ホームを出発しようとしている。
The train is just about to leave the platform.
Word by Word: Train (subject) now, platform (object) depart-about-to-is.
This is a typical objective observation often heard in announcements or formal descriptions.
- 長い冬がようやく終わろうとしている。
The long winter is finally about to come to an end.
Word by Word: Long winter (subject) finally end-about-to-is.
Here, it is used with a non-volitional verb (to end) to create a dramatic, literary effect.
- 彼は新しいビジネスを始めようとしている。
He is trying to start a new business.
Word by Word: He (topic) new business (object) start-about-to-is.
When used with a person, it indicates they are currently in the process of attempting or preparing to start an action.
- 日が沈もうとしている。
The sun is about to set.
Word by Word: Sun (subject) sink-about-to-is.
This describes a natural phenomenon that is just reaching its conclusion.
Common Mistakes
Using it for trivial daily tasks in casual conversation.
今、お風呂に入ろうとしている。今、お風呂に入るところだ。Using 〜ようとしている for personal errands like taking a bath sounds unnaturally dramatic, like a narrator in a novel. Use ところ for everyday 'about to' moments.
Thinking it only applies to people's intentions.
桜が咲こうとしている。(Thinking this is wrong)桜が咲こうとしている。Learners often think the volitional form + としている only means 'trying to.' However, it is perfectly natural (and common) to use it for natural events like flowers blooming.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'ようとしている', you must first know how to conjugate verbs into the volitional form (e.g., 行こう, 食べよう). This pattern combines that volitional form with the progressive 'ている' to express that someone or something is just about to begin an action or that a change is on the verge of happening.
Related Patterns
- ところAbout To/just Did
Both mean 'about to,' but ところ is neutral and used for daily timing, while 〜ようとしている is formal and emphasizes the state of imminence.
Level 3 - ようとするTry To/about to
The dictionary form often describes a single attempt (often one that fails), whereas 〜ようとしている describes the ongoing state of being on the verge of the action.
Level 3 - Volitional form
This pattern is built using the volitional form as its base.
Level 3 - そう（様態）Looks Like
Used for subjective observations ('it looks like it will'), whereas 〜ようとしている is more objective and describes a process already in motion.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice ようとしている in Bubblegum
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