Past Presumptive

Production Rules:

Note that the presumptive is formed by simply adding だろう (darou) for the plain case or でしょう (deshou) for the polite case to the plain forms of the past indicative.

Inflection Examples:

Irregulars:

Usage Notes & Examples:

1. This form is used to express some doubt or conjecture on the part of the speaker, similar to interjecting "probably" in English. Without combining it with another form like the progressive, the meaning is similar to the past indicative, expressing a conjecture about action that may have already taken place or a state that may have existed. In Japanese one doesn't speak of someone else's presumptive actions (desires, etc.) with any certainty, so among other ways, this form can be used to add the necessary uncertainty.
   • 三週間前送って、いままでにそこに 届いただろう。
     san shuukan mae okutte, ima made ni soko ni todoita darou.
     I sent it three weeks ago and it's probably gotten there by now.
   • 一時間以上遅れたので、彼は待たなかっただろう。
     ichi jikan ijou okureta no de, kare wa matanakatta darou.
     We're over an hour late so he might not have waited.
2. This form is also used to solicit agreement or soften the tone of a statement by using a conjectural question.
3. The plain forms using だろう (darou) can sound somewhat abrupt or assertive, even when talking to equals. You may want to use the polite forms even in friendly contexts. It is acceptable to use the plain forms when talking to yourself, or to people you would otherwise be on informal terms with about impersonal third-party subjects. Of course, this is all a matter of degree. An all-male group of friends, or a superior speaking to an inferior would not be likely to use the polite forms.

Copyright © 2010-2011 Collin McCulley. All Rights Reserved.

Page cached 4/20/2019 1:13:10 PM