としたが | Grammar

Structure

[verb (volitional)] + としたが、[sentence] [verb (volitional)] + としたけど、[sentence]

Description

としたが means "tried to…, but" or "was about to…, but": the action was attempted or about to start, and something stopped it. It follows the volitional form of a verb – あけよう開けよう, いこう行こう, しよう – and the clause after が says what went wrong.

、。

I tried to open the door, but it was locked.

、。

I tried to explain, but the words wouldn't come.

、。

I was about to leave the house when the phone rang.

The verb must be volitional: ×開けるとしたが, ×開けたとしたが.

としたが or てみたが

てみたが means you did the thing and the result disappointed you. としたが means you never got to do it, or did not manage it.

、。

I tried to call, but I didn't know the number.

No call was made.

、。

I tried calling, but nobody answered.

The call was made.

× 新しい店のラーメンを食べようとしたが、おいしくなかった → 食べてみたが、おいしくなかった

Usage notes

These go beyond the basic "tried to, but".

けど in speech

が is the written and careful form. In conversation the same sentence takes けど.

、。

I tried to get away, but I was caught.

Trailing off

The second half can be left unsaid; the listener understands that it did not work.

きごう…。

I tried to help, but…

Examples

、。

I tried to open the door, but it was locked.

、。

I was about to leave the house, but it suddenly started raining.

、。

I tried to call him, but I forgot his number.

、。

I tried to go to sleep, but it was too noisy outside and I couldn't sleep.

、。

I tried to answer the question, but I couldn't remember anything.

、。

I was about to get on the train, but the doors closed right in front of me.

、。

I tried to cook, but I didn't have enough ingredients.

、。

I tried to catch the cat, but it got away.

、。

I was going to apologize, but she had already left.

、。

I tried to download a new app, but I didn't have enough storage.

、。

I tried to talk to them, but I couldn't muster the courage.

、。

I tried to wake up early, but I turned off the alarm and fell back asleep.

References

verb-volitional-としたがBunpro