～ともなく／～ともなしに
tomo naku
Without intending to; absentmindedly
Formation 接続
V dictionary + ともなく／ともなしに + related V
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation 説明
Describes an action without a clear intention; with question words it can indicate an unspecified person or place.
Examples 例文
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会議の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the meeting, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
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試験の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the exam, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
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研修の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the training session, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
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発表会の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the presentation event, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
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面接の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the interview, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
How related patterns differ 比較
ごとく and かのように compare; んばかりに exaggerates an imminent action. とばかりに infers an unspoken message. ともつかない is hard to classify, ともなく lacks intent or specificity, and 並み matches a standard level.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～ともなく／～ともなしに | Without intending to; absentmindedly | 会議の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。 After the meeting, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to. |
| ～かのようだ／～かのような／～かのように | As if; as though | 彼は教師であるかのように話す。 He speaks as if he were a teacher. |
| ごとき／ごとく | Like; as though | 彼は教師のごとく振る舞った。 He behaved like a teacher. |
| ～とばかり（に） | As if to say | 会議が終わると、彼は「もう帰ろう」とばかりに立ち上がった。 When the meeting ended, he stood up as if to say, "Let's go home." |
| ～とも～ともつかぬ／ともつかない | Indistinguishable as; hard to tell whether | 会議の会場から、笑いとも泣き声ともつかない声が聞こえた。 A sound that could have been laughter or crying came from the venue for the meeting. |
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