～ようとする (you to suru) - Attempting or Imminent Action

This grammar combines the volitional form with the verb suru. The volitional form is the "let's" form of a verb. By adding to suru, you change "let's do" into "attempt to do." It focuses on the very beginning of an action. It captures the physical or mental effort involved. For inanimate objects, it signals that a change is imminent. It is like a runner poised at the starting line. They haven't run yet, but they are clearly about to.

1. 1Creating this form is a two-step process. First, you need the volitional form of your verb.
2. 2Group 1 (U-verbs): Change the final u sound to o and add u. For example, kaku (write) becomes kakou.
3. 3Group 2 (Ru-verbs): Remove the final ru and add you. For example, taberu (eat) becomes tabeyou.
4. 4Group 3 (Irregular): suru becomes shiyou. kuru becomes koyou.
5. 5Once you have the volitional form, simply add to suru. You can conjugate suru into various forms. Use to shite iru for an ongoing attempt. Use to shita for a past attempt. Use to shinai for a refusal to act.

Use this when you are physically trying to do something. Imagine you are trying to catch a falling glass. You would say torou to suru. It is perfect for describing scenes in a story. You can also use it for things about to happen naturally. The sun is about to set? Use shizumou to shite iru. It is also great for describing people's behavior. If someone refuses to talk, use the negative form hanasou to shinai. This implies they have a strong will not to speak. It is very common in daily life. Use it when your computer is about to restart. Use it when you are trying to remember a name.

Do not use this for long-term goals. If you are "trying" to learn Japanese over months, use benkyou shite iru. ～ようとする is for immediate, physical, or near-future actions. Also, do not use it to mean "try and see." If you want to try a new food to see if it tastes good, use ~te miru. ～ようとする is about the effort of the action itself, not the result of the experience. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. It only works when the light is about to change or just turned.

Many people confuse ～ようとする with ～てみる. Remember: ～てみる is for experimenting. ～ようとする is for the struggle or the brink of action. Another mistake is using it for your own future plans. If you intend to go to the gym, use ~tsumori or ~you to omou. ～ようとする sounds like you are literally at the gym door right now. Also, watch your verb groups! Group 2 verbs often get turned into Group 1 by mistake. It is tabeyou, not tabou. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes when they are tired!

Let's compare ～ようとする with ～ところ. Both talk about things about to happen. However, ～ところ is just a point in time. It has no feeling of effort. ～ようとする implies someone is trying or something is struggling. Compare it also to ～ようと思う. The latter is just a thought in your head. ～ようとする is an actual movement or a visible change. It is much more "active" than just thinking. Finally, ～てみる is about testing the waters. ～ようとする is about jumping in (or trying to jump in).