The Japanese grammar pattern 〜ところだ and 〜ところ (+ 助詞) is used to express the temporal aspect of an action or situation, indicating that something is about to happen, is happening, or has just happened. Here’s how to combine them with verbs, adjectives, and nouns:

1. Verb + ところだ

• Verb Dictionary Form + ところだ: Indicates that something is just about to happen.
  • Example: 食べるところだ (taberu tokoro da) - "I'm just about to eat."
• Verb ている Form + ところだ: Indicates that something is happening right now.
  • Example: 食べているところだ (tabeteiru tokoro da) - "I'm in the middle of eating."
• Verb た Form + ところだ: Indicates that something has just happened.
  • Example: 食べたところだ (tabeta tokoro da) - "I just ate."

2. Adjective + ところだ

Adjectives do not typically combine with ところだ on their own. However, you can use the pattern indirectly by using a verb that describes a state or condition. For example, instead of directly using an adjective, you might use a phrase like:

• いいところだ: "It’s a good place/time."
• 静かなところだ: "It's a quiet place."

3. Noun + ところだ

• Noun + のところだ: Refers to a specific place, situation, or state related to the noun.
  • Example: 今のところだ (ima no tokoro da) - "It's at this point in time."

When you add a particle (助詞) after ところ, it usually serves to specify the relationship or function of the action or state described. For example:

4. Verb + ところ (+ 助詞)

• Verb Dictionary Form + ところに: Indicates that something is about to happen or is happening when something else occurs.
  • Example: 食べるところに電話がかかってきた (taberu tokoro ni denwa ga kakatte kita) - "Just as I was about to eat, the phone rang."
• Verb た Form + ところで: Indicates that something happened right after another event.
  • Example: 家を出たところで雨が降り出した (ie o deta tokoro de ame ga furidashita) - "Right after I left the house, it started raining."

These patterns help express timing and sequence, focusing on when actions occur relative to each other.