るところだJust about to do
Use this pattern when an action has not started yet but is about to begin at the relevant moment.
The action has not begun
The key is the viewpoint: you are standing immediately before the action begins. This makes the pattern especially natural for actions with a clear starting point, such as leaving, eating, making a call, or beginning a meeting.
Answering a question about now
The cooking has not started. The speaker is at the point immediately before starting.
The reference point can be in the past
The relevant moment does not have to be the present. Context can establish a past moment, while the verb before the pattern remains in its plain nonpast form.
会場に着いたとき、講演が始まるところだった。
When I arrived at the venue, the lecture was just about to begin.
AnalyzeThe lecture had not begun at the moment of arrival.
Before, during, and after
With the same verb, the form shows three different stages: 出かけるところだ means the person is just about to leave; 出かけているところだ places the person in the middle of leaving; and 出かけたところだ places the viewpoint just after the person left.
More examples
これから資料を印刷するところです。
I'm just about to print the documents.
Analyzeちょうど昼ご飯を食べるところだから、一緒にどう？
I'm just about to have lunch, so would you like to join me?
Analyzeタクシーが来たので、今から空港へ向かうところです。
The taxi has arrived, so I'm just about to head to the airport.
Analyze私が駅に着いたとき、電車が出るところでした。
When I arrived at the station, the train was just about to leave.
Analyze試合はまさに始まるところだった。
The match was just about to begin.
Analyzeこれから担当者に確認するところなんです。
I'm just about to check with the person in charge.
Analyze