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Grammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 4

Structure of ところで:

ところで + (New Topic) Phrase

Details about ところで:

ところで is a conjunction particle that is made up of the noun, ところ 'place', and the case marking particle で. It is used in a similar way to 'by the way', or 'incidentally' in English, but will only be used for introducing new topics, not continuing within the same topic.
ところで will primarily appear at the beginning of a sentence, before making a statement or asking a question about something unrelated.
  • ところで昨日(きのう)(はなし)はどうなった?
    By the way, what happened to the plan you told me about yesterday?
  • ところで、お(たく)旦那(だんな)さん元気(げんき)ていますか。
    By the way, is your husband doing well?
The literal translation of ところで is closer to 'and with that', and implies that something (within the previous topic) suddenly reminded the speaker of another thing (that happens to be a new topic).
ところで

Usage Notes for ところで:

When ところで appears after the past tense of a verb as たところで, it carries a different meaning, and will express that something isn't the case, despite (A). This is an advanced grammar point that will be covered at another stage.

Synonyms for ところで:

そういえば
Speaking of which, By the way, Come to think of it
といえば
Speaking of, If it were the case that

Example of ところで

ところでどこ()つもりですか。

By the way, where do you plan on going?

ところで明日(あした)パーティー(なに)()って()ますか?

By the way, what are you going to bring to the party tomorrow?

ところでパソコン使(つか)(かた)をご存知(ぞんじ)ですか。

By the way, do you know how to use a computer?

ところで内本(うちもと)さんどこ出身(しゅっしん)

By the way, where is Uchimoto-san from?

ところでもう(あめ)はやみましたか?

By the way, has it stopped raining yet?

Grammar same lesson

(Particle) + の

Combined particles
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すると

Having done..., If...is done..., (And/just) then, Thereupon, If so
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である

Formal or literary だ, Authoritative, Copula
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そうすると

Having done that..., If that is done..., (And/just) then, Thereupon, If so
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(Noun) + 型(がた)

Model, Type, Pattern, Kind, Shape, Size(d)
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