ところが
- 1Begins a new sentence to introduce an outcome contrary to the expectation set up before.Ex. 1
- 2After a た-form verb, links an action to an unexpected result in the same sentence.Ex. 3
Conjunction: placed at the start of the following clause once the preceding clause ends (preceding clause. ところが、following clause)
Verb (ta-form)The plain past form of a verb, ending in た／だ.
行った・食べた・した・来（き）た
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The sentence-initial conjunction is neutral in register and common in narration; the 動詞た形＋ところが use is somewhat written. What follows ところが is a fact that defies the expectation set up before, whether observed directly or reported (明日は晴れると思っていた。ところが、雨になるらしい). Compared with the general contrast of けど / けれども, ところが stresses that the outcome defies expectation.
Do not use ところが for a merely neutral contrast; there must be a turn contrary to expectation.
Note that sentence-initial ところが is followed by a statement of fact, not by a request, command or invitation.
- 1.のにN4「のに」attaches to the plain form to join clauses into one sentence (nouns and な-adjectives take 「なのに」), and it emphasizes the speaker's dissatisfaction or regret; it can also end a sentence as a complaint. 「ところが」, by contrast, usually starts a sentence, emphasizes unexpectedness with a relatively objective tone, and has no sentence-final use.
- 2.かと思ったら / かと思うとN2Both meanings of 「かと思ったら」carry a sense of surprise, making it close to 「ところが」; however, it attaches to the verbた形, the plain form, nouns, etc., and connects the two clauses within the sentence. Its 'no sooner...than' meaning expresses immediate temporal succession, which 「ところが」does not have.
- 3.にもかかわらずN2「にもかかわらず」can attach directly to nouns, verbs, etc., and can also be used at the start of a sentence; it has a written style. The preceding clause is an established fact and the tone is objective, while the following clause may contain a request or intention — something 「ところが」cannot do.
- 4.けど / けれどもN5「けど」attaches to the end of the preceding sentence and can serve as a plain contrast; the following clause can take volition or requests, and it can also set up a request or soften the tone at the end of a sentence. 「ところが」focuses on an unexpected result that goes against one's wishes. The two are interchangeable only when expressing a surprising contrast.
のに attaches to the end of a clause and often conveys frustration; けど / けれども express ordinary contrast; にもかかわらず is a more formal "despite"; かと思ったら / かと思うと highlights a rapid sequence or change. ところが, whether sentence-initial or in 動詞た形＋ところが, emphasises an unexpected turn.
