-نے ہی والا + تھا

Being Just About to Act

Level 4

At that past moment → the action was just about to begin.

How It Works

Place ہی after the oblique infinitive to emphasize how close the event was: نکلنے ہی والا تھا means “was just about to leave.” والا and the past copula agree with the subject.

The construction often introduces an interruption, but an interruption is not required. The action may then happen, be delayed, or be cancelled.

This is a past viewpoint on an expected next event. It does not mean that the event had already started.

Examples (4)

  1. میں نکلنے ہی والا تھا کہ فون بج اٹھا۔

    I was just about to leave when the phone rang.

    A male speaker’s imminent departure is interrupted.

  2. مریم جواب دینے ہی والی تھی کہ استاد نے اگلا سوال پوچھ لیا۔

    Maryam was just about to answer when the teacher asked the next question.

    Both feminine forms refer to Maryam.

  3. ہم دروازہ کھولنے ہی والے تھے کہ بجلی چلی گئی۔

    We were just about to open the door when the power went out.

    The past moment precedes opening the door.

  4. وہ روانہ ہونے ہی والی تھی، اور چند لمحوں بعد وہ نکل گئی۔

    She was just about to depart, and a few moments later she left.

    The continuation confirms that the imminent event happened.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-نے ہی والا + تھاLevel 4Being Just About to Act

Learn This First

Recognize the imminent-event construction. Locate the impending event relative to a past reference point. Understand the focusing contribution of ہی.

Words in This Pattern

والاہی