ともなく／～ともなしに (tomo-naku): Without intending to; absentmindedly
～ともなく／～ともなしに (tomo-naku)
Meaning
Without intending to; absentmindedly
Formation and usage
V dictionary + ともなく／ともなしに + related V
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Describes an action without a clear intention; with question words it can indicate an unspecified person or place.
Examples
会議の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the meeting, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
試験の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the exam, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
研修の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the training session, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
発表会の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the presentation event, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
面接の後、聞くともなく隣の会話を聞いていた。
After the interview, I found myself listening to the conversation nearby without intending to.
How related patterns differ
ごとく and かのように compare; んばかりに exaggerates an imminent action. とばかりに infers an unspoken message. ともつかない is hard to classify, ともなく lacks intent or specificity, and 並み matches a standard level.