GRAMMAR DETAIL

～ところだ

be about to

Attaches to the plain form of a verb to indicate that an action is just about to begin.

Examples

ちょうど家を出るところです。

I am just about to leave the house.

今から昼ご飯を食べるところです。

I am just about to eat lunch now.

Structure: A verb's dictionary form is followed by ところだ.
Basic usage: ちょうど家を出るところです。 means that leaving the house is just about to happen.

Verb form and timing
- 食べるところ means just before eating, 食べているところ during eating, and 食べたところ just after eating. The form before ところ distinguishes the stage of the action.
A plan and an imminent action
- 明日出る予定です states a plan for tomorrow. Its time range differs from 出るところです, which presents departure as imminent.