ところで | Grammar

Structure

ところで、[sentence]

ところで at the start of a sentence means "by the way": it drops the current topic and opens a new one. It works in casual and polite speech alike.

、きごう？

By the way, what are your plans for tomorrow?

、きごう？

By the way, have you seen Tanaka recently?

。、きごう…。

The meeting ended successfully. By the way, about next week's business trip…

It comes after one topic has been wrapped up. Dropped into the middle of a related discussion, it sounds abrupt.

The two look alike but do different jobs. ところで changes the subject. ところが stays on it and says the result was not what you expected: "but then".

。、。

I ran to the station. But the train had already left.

。、。

I ran to the station. By the way, there's a new café in front of it.

ところで carries no contrast, so it never stands in for でも or しかし.

After a た-form verb, ところで is a different pattern: たところで, "even if you did, it would be no use". It sits inside the sentence rather than at its start.

、。

Even if we hurry now, we probably won't make it.

、きごう？

By the way, what are you doing this weekend?

、きごう？

By the way, have you already seen that movie?

。、きごう？

I submitted the report. By the way, did you hear about the new project?

、きごう？

By the way, who called earlier?

。、、きごう？

The food was delicious. By the way, when did you find this restaurant?

、きごう？

By the way, do you know Suzuki's contact information?

。、きごう？

Good job on the exam. By the way, are you planning to go anywhere for summer break?

、きごう？

By the way, did you see yesterday's news?

。、。

I understand that. By the way, there is one more thing I'd like to ask.

、きごう？

By the way, have you been doing well lately?

。、きごう？

Preparing for the move was tough. By the way, is there a good supermarket nearby?