ついでにWhile at it; taking the opportunity
Use this when one activity creates a convenient opportunity to do a second, less important action as well. The first activity is the main reason for the occasion; the second is an extra.
The main activity and the extra
The key is not simply that two actions occur near the same time. The first action must independently provide a reason to be somewhere or do something, and that opportunity makes the second action convenient. The second action normally comes after the expression and feels incidental.
Three basic forms
私は図書館へ本を返しに行くついでに、近くの郵便局で切手を買いました。
While going to return a book to the library, I took the opportunity to buy stamps at a nearby post office.
AnalyzeReturning the book is the established purpose; buying stamps is the extra errand.
健太は駅まで友達を送ったついでに、駅前の店で夕食を買った。
After seeing his friend off at the station, Kenta took the opportunity to buy dinner at a shop nearby.
Analyze母は散歩のついでに、商店街の新しいパン屋をのぞいてみた。
While out for a walk, my mother stopped to take a look at the new bakery in the shopping district.
AnalyzeChoosing the verb form
The dictionary form presents the main activity as upcoming, planned, or generally available as an opportunity. The past form looks back on that activity as completed before the extra action. This choice describes how the main activity is viewed; it does not by itself determine the tense of the entire sentence.
When the occasion is already clear
コピーを取りに行ってきます。
I’m going to make some copies.
Analyzeついでに、この資料も十部お願いできますか。
While you’re at it, could you make ten copies of this handout too?
AnalyzeThe copying trip has already been mentioned, so the expression can stand at the beginning of the reply.
An extra task versus two purposes
ついでに makes one action the main occasion and the other an extra. By contrast, を兼ねて presents an activity as serving two purposes, without treating either one as a casual afterthought.
今回の研修は、技術の習得と社員同士の交流を兼ねて実施します。
This training session will be held both to develop technical skills and to encourage interaction among employees.
AnalyzeBoth purposes are presented as planned goals, so the dual-purpose construction is more suitable.
More examples
私は出張で大阪へ行くついでに、現地の支店にも寄る予定だ。
While going to Osaka on business, I plan to stop by the local branch as well.
Analyze私は市役所で住所変更をしたついでに、住民票も取ってきた。
After changing my address at city hall, I took the opportunity to get a residence certificate too.
Analyze買い物のついでに、クリーニングを受け取ってくれる？
Could you pick up the dry cleaning while you’re out shopping?
Analyzeコーヒーを入れるついでに、私の分もお願い。
Since you’re making coffee anyway, could you make some for me too?
Analyze私は古い写真を整理したついでに、不要なデータも削除した。
After organizing my old photos, I took the opportunity to delete some unnecessary data too.
Analyze会議室は予約しました。ついでに、参加者用の資料も注文しておきました。
The meeting room has been booked. While taking care of that, the handouts for participants were ordered too.
Analyze