を控えて【をひかえて】

The expression を控えて (をひかえて) is used to indicate that an important event or occasion is approaching or imminent. It conveys the sense of "with (something) just ahead" or "on the eve of," and is typically followed by a description of actions, preparations, or feelings associated with the upcoming event.

The verb ひかえる控える on its own can mean "to refrain from" or "to hold back," but in this particular construction – Noun + を控えて – it takes the meaning of "to have (something) ahead / coming up." This is an N1-level grammar point commonly found in formal writing, news articles, and speeches.

Basic usage

The noun before をひかえて控えて is typically a significant event such as an exam, election, departure, wedding, or deadline.

Variant forms

This grammar point has several related forms:

• を控えた
  • Noun (modifying a noun): せんきょ選挙をひかえた控えたこうほしゃ候補者 – "a candidate facing an upcoming election"
• を控え (slightly more literary/formal, without て): しゅっぱつ出発をひかえ控え、にもつ荷物をかくにん確認した。 – "With departure imminent, I checked my luggage."

Nuance

を控えて emphasizes that the event is near at hand and often carries a sense of importance or urgency. The actions or states described in the rest of the sentence are typically motivated by or related to the approaching event – preparations, heightened emotions, behavioral changes, etc.

It differs from simple time expressions like まえに前に ("before") in that を控えて highlights the psychological weight or significance of what is coming, not just the chronological sequence.