At a glance
～ところだった means something "almost happened" or "nearly happened", but in the end it did not. It is usually used for bad results that were just avoided.
Verb (dictionary form) + ところだった
もう少しで遅刻するところだった。 I was almost late.
How to form it
| Attaches to | Example | Meaning | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verb dictionary form + ところだった | 忘れるところだった | I almost forgot. | Casual |
| Verb dictionary form + ところでした | 忘れるところでした | I almost forgot. | Polite |
| Verb ない-form + ところだった | 間に合わないところだった | I almost didn't make it. | Casual |
The verb stays in dictionary form (or ない-form). Only the ending changes for politeness.