GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜つもりで

with the mindset that · as if

Indicates acting with the mindset that an assumed situation is real.

Examples

本番のつもりで、最後まで集中して練習した。

I practiced with full concentration to the end as if it were the real thing.

旅行しているつもりで、町の知らない道を歩いた。

Imagining that I was traveling, I walked along unfamiliar streets in my town.

Structure: Use つもりで after a noun followed by の or a plain clause to express acting with an assumed mindset.
Basic usage: 本番のつもりで、最後まで集中して練習した。 describes concentrating on practice as if it were the real performance.

An intended action and an imagined situation
- 旅行するつもりで貯金する means saving with the intention of traveling, while 旅行しているつもりで散歩する means walking while imagining being on a trip. Distinguish intention from assumption through the preceding verb and context.
Linking the mindset to an action
- 本番のつもりだ states the thought of treating something as the real performance; 本番のつもりで練習する links that mindset to practice. で connects the attitude to the following action.