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Decoded Slug: Verbる ともなく Verb (Verb-ru tomonaku Verb)
Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
Verbる ともなく Verb (Verb-ru tomonaku Verb)
Verbる ともなく Verb (Verb-ru tomonaku Verb)
Short explanation:
Used to express 'without a particular intention', 'unconsciously', 'before one knows'.
Formation:
Verb-dictionary form + ともなく + Verb
Examples:
遠くを見るともなく窓の外を眺めた。
Tooku o miru tomonaku mado no soto o nagameta.
I found myself gazing out the window, not really looking at anything in particular.
知るともなく、彼が去ったことを感じた。
Shiru tomonaku, kare ga satta koto o kanjita.
Without really knowing, I could feel that he had left.
本を読むともなく、ページをめくっていた。
Hon o yomu tomonaku, peiji o mekutte ita.
Without intending to read, I was turning the pages of the book.
寝るともなく、ベッドに横になっていた。
Neru tomonaku, beddo ni yoko ni natte ita.
I was lying in bed, without really intending to sleep.
Long explanation:
The 'Verbる ともなく Verb' grammar point is used to convey doing something without a specific intention or unconsciously. In other words, you find yourself doing something without meaning to or before you know it.