Meaning
Distinguishes an action that is about to begin, is in progress, or has just finished.
Formation
- Vる + ところ: about to start: 出かけるところです
- Vている + ところ: right now: 作っているところです
- Vた + ところ: just finished: 終わったところです
When to use it
- Core use
- About to, doing now, just did
Example
今から出かけるところです
I am just about to go out.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.