GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜たところで
Indicates that even if a hypothetical action is taken, the hoped-for result cannot be achieved.
Examples
今から急いだところで最終電車には間に合わない。
Even if we hurry now, we will not make the last train.
Words used
今さら謝ったところで失った信頼は戻らない。
Even if you apologize now, the trust you lost will not return.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
ところでto a verb's ta-form to indicate that even a hypothetical action would be futile or unlikely to produce the desired result. - Basic usage:
今から急いだところで最終電車には間に合わない。judges that hurrying now would still not get the speaker to the last train in time.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- A hypothesis despite the ta-form
急いだin今から急いだところでdoes not report past hurrying. It hypothesizes about doing so from now on without improving the situation.
- Different from discovery with たところ
調べたところ、誤りが見つかったgives an actual discovery after investigating.調べたところで間に合わないjudges that even if one investigates, one will not make it in time, so the presence ofでchanges the relationship.