日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

～を控えて

~ o hikaete

with... coming up, ahead of

When to use it

Use ～を控えて to frame an action or situation against an imminent event — typically a deadline, announcement, launch, or negotiation that is close at hand. It is the standard way in reports, press releases, and business email to set the stage for why people are busy, cautious, or making preparations. It is distinctly written/formal; in casual speech you would say ～の前に or もうすぐ～だから.

Formation

  • Noun + を控えて — the noun must denote an event or occasion (決算発表, 交渉, 上場, 出張). This is the only base form.
  • Noun + を〔時間表現〕に控えて — inserts the interval: 開催を一週間後に控えて, 締切を明日に控えて.
  • Noun + を目前／間近に控えて — set phrases meaning "with X right around the corner."
  • Attributive: ～を控えた + noun — 上場を控えた企業, 引退を控えた社員.
  • Written clipping: ～を控え — the continuative 控え replaces 控えて in newspaper style and formal reports.
  • Verbs, i-adjectives and na-adjectives do not attach. Nominalize instead (移転する → 移転を控えて). Note that Vるのを控える is the unrelated 控える "refrain from."

Examples

  • With the earnings announcement coming up, the office is hectic.

  • With the contract renewal next week, we went over the terms again.

  • With negotiations imminent, we'll nail down where we can concede.

  • We assess investments in companies facing an IPO cautiously.

  • As I have a business trip coming up, could we move the meeting earlier?