Grammar › N1 · 12 Inference and judgment

〜ともなく: without really (intending)

N1 · 12 Inference and judgment

Says an action was done without clear intention or focus.

Verb dictionary form + ともなく + same verb: 見るともなく見る, 聞くともなく聞く. Also いつからともなく, どこからともなく (from somewhere). Written, a little literary. Used for vague or unconscious action.

Examples

テレビを見みるともなく見みていたら、眠ねむってしまった。

I was watching TV without really paying attention, and fell asleep.

どこからともなく、いい香かおりが漂ただよってきた。

A nice smell drifted in from somewhere.

Study 〜ともなく in the course →