GRAMMAR
〜ところ（に・へ・をで）
point in time
Explanation
NOTE
〜ところ + particle expresses the moment at which something occurs, with nuances per particle.
帰ろうとしているところに電話がかかってきた。
Just as I was about to leave, a call came in.
Used to indicate an action that happens precisely at the moment another action is taking place.
NOTE
- ところに — at that moment (something arrives)
- ところへ — into that situation (someone comes in)
- ところを — at/through that point (seen or caught)
- ところで — at/during that point
STRUCTURE
Vている
ところに/へ/を/で食べているところに先生が来た。
Tabete iru tokoro ni sensei ga kita.
The teacher came just as I was eating.
急いでいるところへ彼女が現れた。
Isoide iru tokoro e kanojo ga arawareta.
She appeared just when I was in a rush.
休んでいるところを見られた。
Yasunde iru tokoro o mirareta.
I was seen while I was resting.
Practice exercises
1
勉強しているところに友達が来た。
A friend came at the moment I was studying.
Answer
ところに
2
サボっているところを上司に見られた。
I was seen in the act of slacking off by my boss.
Answer
ところを
3
帰ろうとしているところへ部長が声をかけてきた。
The department manager called out to me right as I was about to leave.
Answer
ところへ
4
帰ろうとするところに、電話がかかってきた。
Just as I was about to leave, I received a phone call.
Answer
に
5
会議に遅れて部屋に入った所に、部長に怒られた。
I entered the room late for the meeting at that moment, and was scolded by the manager.
Answer
に
6
不正を行っているところを監査員に発見された。
They were caught in the act of committing fraud by an auditor.
Answer
ところを
7
食べているところに先生が来た。
The teacher came just as I was eating.
Answer
ところに
8
急いでいるところへ彼女が現れた。
She appeared right into the situation where I was in a rush.
Answer
ところへ