ISORI

〜たところで

JLPT N1:

even if, to no avail

Concedes a hypothetical action while judging that it would not change the outcome: “even if X, it would be no use”.

How to form it

  • Put the verb in the た-form and add ところで: 急(いそ)いだところで.
  • The main clause expresses futility, a limitation or an unchanged negative result.
  • Despite the past-looking た-form, X is usually hypothetical rather than a completed event.

Examples

今(いま)さら謝(あやま)ったところで、彼(かれ)は許(ゆる)してくれないだろう。

Even if you apologize now, he probably will not forgive you.

急(いそ)いだところで、終電(しゅうでん)には間(ま)に合(あ)わない。

Even if we hurry, we will not make the last train.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing it with たところ, which can mean “when/after I did”.
  • Giving a result that improves because of X.

Similar meaning

  • 〜てもeven if

    ても neutrally concedes X; たところで adds that X would make no difference.