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Decoded Slug: Verbる ともなしに Verb (Verb-ru tomonashi ni Verb)
Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
Verbる ともなしに Verb (Verb-ru tomonashi ni Verb)
Verbる ともなしに Verb (Verb-ru tomonashi ni Verb)
Short explanation:
This phrase is used to express doing something unintentionally or without conscious thought.
Formation:
Verb-dictionary + ともなしに + Verb
Examples:
本を読むともなしに眠ってしまった。
Hon o yomu tomonashi ni nemutte shimatta.
I ended up falling asleep while reading the book without really meaning to.
軽い気持ちで手紙を書くともなしに、彼に本心を告白した。
Karui kimochi de tegami o kaku tomonashi ni, kare ni honshin o kokuhaku shita.
While I was writing a letter casually, I ended up confessing my true feelings to him.
散歩をするともなしに、新しいカフェを見つけた。
Sanpo o suru tomonashi ni, atarashii cafe o mitsuketa.
While I was walking without a particular destination in mind, I found a new cafe.
洋服を整理するともなしに、昔の写真を見つけた。
Youfuku o seiri suru tomonashi ni, mukashi no shashin o mitsuketa.
While I was organizing my clothes without thinking about it, I happened upon some old photos.
Long explanation:
Verbる ともなしに Verb is a Japanese grammar point used to express doing something without particularly intending to do it; often something happens due to unconscious habit or without a particular reason. It usually involves an action done indirectly or without conscious thought. There are usually two verbs in the sentence: the first verb (in dictionary form) is the unintentional action, and the second one is the result or what you ended up doing.