ところ Review: About To, In Progress, Just Finished

Master ところ across three time frames so you can read actions right before, during, and right after they happen.

Match dictionary, ている, and た forms before ところ with the correct timing.Distinguish ところ from たばかり in context.Use time adverbs to confirm whether an action is imminent, ongoing, or just completed.

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Lesson article

Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context

Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.

Section 1 of 3

Three core timings

ところ changes meaning depending on the verb form before it. Dictionary form + ところ means 'about to do.' ているところ means 'in the middle of doing.' たところ means 'just finished doing.'

Target signal
今から出かけるところです。
I am just about to leave.
Dictionary form + ところ means the action is just about to start.
Vocabulary notes
ところで
by the way
出かけるでかける
to go out; to leave home
ところ〜ところ
about to; in the middle; just finished
Compare in context
ちょうど昼ご飯を食べているところです。
I am in the middle of eating lunch right now.
ているところ marks the action as in progress right now.
Vocabulary notes
ているところ〜ているところ
in the middle of doing
ちょうど
just; exactly
ところで
by the way
Compare in context
たった今、駅に着いたところです。
I just arrived at the station.
たところ focuses on the exact moment just after completion.
Vocabulary notes
たった今たったいま
just now
ところで
by the way
ところ〜ところ
about to; in the middle; just finished

Section 2 of 3

Contrast with たばかり

たところ often focuses on the exact moment immediately after an action. たばかり can cover a wider stretch of 'just now' and depends more on the speaker's feeling of recency.

Target signal
今、会議が終わったところです。
The meeting has just ended now.
Immediate timing.
Vocabulary notes
ところで
by the way
ところ〜ところ
about to; in the middle; just finished
ところ
place; point; part
Preview
会議が終わったばかりです。
The meeting ended just recently.
Still recent, but not necessarily the exact moment.
Vocabulary notes
たばかり〜たばかり
just did; just finished doing
ばかり
just; only
です
to be (polite); is; am; are

Section 3 of 3

Reading focus

Time expressions such as 今から, ちょうど, and たった今 are strong clues. In dialogue, ところ often helps you understand what stage of an action a speaker is in when another event happens.

Target signal
電話しようとしたところ、本人から連絡が来た。
Just as I was about to call, the person contacted me.
The second event happens at that exact moment.
Vocabulary notes
ところ〜ところ
about to; in the middle; just finished
ところ
place; point; part
から
from; because
Preview
説明しているところなので、少し待ってください。
I am in the middle of explaining, so please wait a moment.
ているところ keeps the reader inside the ongoing action.
Vocabulary notes
待ってくださいまってください
please wait
ているところ〜ているところ
in the middle of doing
てください〜てください
please do ...

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how ところ Review: About To, In Progress, Just Finished changes the meaning before you check the translation.

今から出かけるところです。ちょうど昼ご飯を食べているところです。たった今、駅に着いたところです。今、会議が終わったところです。会議が終わったばかりです。電話しようとしたところ、本人から連絡が来た。説明しているところなので、少し待ってください。

Show English translation

I am just about to leave. I am in the middle of eating lunch right now. I just arrived at the station. The meeting has just ended now. The meeting ended just recently. Just as I was about to call, the person contacted me. I am in the middle of explaining, so please wait a moment.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

What is the first reading job for this passage?
- Identify the situation and how ところ Review: About To, In Progress, Just Finished changes it.
- Translate every word before using context.
- Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
- Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
Check the answer
Identify the situation and how ところ Review: About To, In Progress, Just Finished changes it.
The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of ところ Review: About To, In Progress, Just Finished in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Which sentence means 'I am in the middle of reading now'?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (ところ Review: About To, In Progress, Just Finished).

今から出かける＿＿＿す。

Your answer

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

1ちょうど昼ご飯を食べているところです。
2たった今、駅に着いたところです。
3今から出かけるところです。

Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of ところ Review: About To, In Progress, Just Finished in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/4