Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering ようとする: Expressing Attempt & Imminence (JLPT N3 Grammar)

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

To attempt to do something / To be about to do something

🎯 Primary Function

It expresses either the subject’s conscious effort or attempt to perform an action, or the imminent state of an action about to happen (often for inanimate objects or natural phenomena).

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb (Volitional form) + とする

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in formal contexts, especially when discussing deliberate attempts or critical moments (e.g., a negotiation about to break down).

😊 Informal Situations

Frequently used in informal conversation to describe personal attempts or immediate situations.

✍️ Written Language

Common in written language, including literature, news articles, and formal reports.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Very common in spoken Japanese.

💡 Common Applications

Expressing an attempt
Indicates that the subject is making an effort to do something, often implying difficulty or lack of immediate success.
Example: 難しい日本語の文章を読もうとしています。(Muzukashii Nihongo no bunshou o yomou to shite imasu.) – I am trying to read a difficult Japanese sentence.
Expressing imminence
Indicates that an action is on the verge of happening, often used for things that don’t have their own will (trains, doors, natural events).
Example: 電車が今、駅を出ようとしています。(Densha ga ima, eki o deyou to shite imasu.) – The train is about to leave the station now.
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📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent, especially when describing efforts or critical junctures.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N3). The concept is straightforward, but distinguishing it from similar expressions requires careful attention to nuance.
Example Sentences
彼は忘れようとしても、忘れられなかった。
Even though he tried to forget, he couldn’t forget.
赤ちゃんが今にも泣き出そうとしている。
The baby is about to start crying any moment now.
ドアを開けようとしたが、鍵がかかっていた。
I tried to open the door, but it was locked.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Focus on the attempt or the point just before action
This pattern emphasizes the *process* of trying or the *imminent moment* rather than the completion of the action.
Example: ドアを開けようとした。(I tried to open the door. – Focus is on the attempt) ドアを開けた。(I opened the door. – Focus is on the completed action)
Cannot be used for habitual or automatic actions (usually)
It is generally used for actions requiring conscious effort or for single, specific instances of imminence. Avoid using it for everyday routines unless specifically highlighting an *attempt* within that routine.
Example: (Incorrect) 毎日、水を飲もうとする。(Incorrect for habitual drinking) (Correct) 毎日、たくさん水を飲もうとしている。(Correct when emphasizing the *effort* to drink a lot of water every day.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using the wrong verb form before とする
✅ Always use the Volitional form (〜う/〜よう) before とする.
Incorrect: 食べるようとする (taberu you to suru). Correct: 食べようとする (tabeyou to suru). Incorrect: 行くようとする (iku you to suru). Correct: 行こうとする (ikou to suru).
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral.
Social Situations: Appropriate in most social contexts.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese, no significant regional variations in usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

〜ようとする vs 〜たい
〜ようとする expresses the *attempt* or *imminence* of an action. 〜たい expresses the *desire* to do an action.
When to use: Use 〜ようとする when talking about making an effort or an action being on the verge of happening. Use 〜たい when stating what someone wants to do.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

The verb before とする must be in the Volitional form (意志形 – ishi-kei). – Group 1 verbs: Change the final う-sound syllable to the お-sound row and add う (e.g., 飲む -> 飲もう, 行く -> 行こう). – Group 2 verbs: Add よう (e.g., 食べる -> 食べよう, 見る -> 見よう). – Irregular verbs: する -> しよう, くる -> こよう.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pay attention to the long vowel sound in the Volitional form (e.g., のもう, たべよう). とする is pronounced “to suru”.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「よう」 as expressing “will” or “intention”, and 「とする」 as “to make oneself do” (attempt) or “to move towards doing” (imminence). Imagine pushing a heavy door (attempt) or a train just beginning to roll (imminence).

Practice Exercises
次の文の（　）に最も適切な形を入れなさい。 子供が（　）としたとき、お母さんが戻ってきた。
寝るよう
寝ろう
寝よう
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次の文の（　）に最も適切な形を入れなさい。 この古い機械はまだ（　）とすれば動くかもしれない。
使えるよう
使えよう
使おう
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