Entry
ともすると
tomosuruto
An adverb indicating that a negative or undesirable outcome easily or frequently occurs.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ともすると indicates a natural tendency or likelihood for something to happen, usually carrying a negative nuance. It is often paired with grammar like 〜がち (tending to) to describe bad habits or common pitfalls.
- undesirable tendency
- prone to a state
Sense Map
Negative tendency
Expresses that an undesirable outcome or action easily or frequently occurs under certain conditions.
ともすると忘れがち
Prone to a condition
Indicates a natural inclination towards a specific state, often related to health or emotions.
ともすると感情的になる
Usage Note
How to Use
ともすると + Verb stem + がち
This is the most common combination, strongly emphasizing a negative habit or tendency to do something.
ともすると + Verb (dictionary form) + ことが多い
Used to objectively state that a certain undesirable situation frequently happens.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ともすると忘れがち
apt to forget
ともすると怠けがち
apt to be lazy
ともすると見落としがち
liable to overlook
ともすると感情的になる
liable to get emotional
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing human behavior | slightly negative | Often used to point out a common human flaw, such as forgetting, getting lazy, or losing focus. |
| Describing systemic risks | cautionary | Used to warn about things that easily go wrong in a project, plan, or daily life. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どうかすると どうかすると / similar | Used when an outcome depends on chance or how a situation unfolds. | While both can describe negative outcomes, ともすると implies an inherent tendency, whereas どうかすると implies it might happen if circumstances align. | どうかすると遅れるかもしれない。 |
ややもすれば ややもすれば / similar | Used in very formal or written contexts to express a strong likelihood of a negative outcome. | ややもすれば is much more formal and literary than ともすると, though their meanings are nearly identical. | ややもすれば孤立しがちだ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a tendency for something good to happen.
ともすると is almost exclusively used for negative or unwanted tendencies. For positive or neutral things, use 〜しやすい instead.
Treating it as a conjunction meaning 'and then'.
It is an adverb of tendency, usually followed by expressions like 〜がち or 〜になりやすい, not a sequential conjunction.
Examples
Examples
彼はともすると、人の話に割り込みがちだ。
かれは ともすると、 ひとの はなしに わりこみがちだ。
He is apt to interrupt people's conversations.
FigurativeIndicates a bad habit that is frequently done.
忙しいと、ともすると大切なことを見落としがちになる。
いそがしいと、 ともすると たいせつな ことを みおとしがちになる。
When busy, one is liable to overlook important things.
FigurativeHighlights an unconscious tendency when preoccupied.
現代人は、ともすると運動不足になりがちである。
げんだいじんは、 ともすると うんどうぶそくに なりがちである。
Modern people are apt to lack exercise.
FigurativeUsed for a common societal or health-related trend.
会議は、ともすると無駄話で終わってしまうことがある。
かいぎは、 ともすると むだばなしで おわってしまう ことが ある。
Meetings are liable to end up as just idle chatter.
FigurativeDescribes the risk of an unwanted outcome in an event.
この時期は気温の変化が激しく、ともすると体調を崩しやすい。
この じきは きおんの へんかが はげしく、 ともすると たいちょうを くずしやすい。
Because of the drastic temperature changes this season, one is prone to getting sick.
FigurativeExpresses a natural vulnerability to a condition.
Similar Words
どうかすると
doukasuruto
Both imply a possible negative outcome, but どうかすると relies more on chance circumstances.
ややもすれば
yayamosureba
A very formal version of ともすると with nearly identical meaning.
Questions
Can I use 'ともすると' for good things?
No, it is generally used for negative or unwanted tendencies, like forgetting or making mistakes.
What grammar is usually paired with 'ともすると'?
It is frequently followed by the suffix '-gachi' (〜がち) or phrases like '-ni nariyasui' (〜になりやすい).
Is 'ともすると' used in casual conversation?
It has a slightly formal or literary feel. In very casual speech, people might simply use the '-gachi' suffix alone.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2179290
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- しばしば (shibashiba)
- Next entry
- がたっと (gatatto)