V-(으)려던 참이다 grammar = be just about to ~the speaker is about to do something

V-(으)려던 참이다 grammar = be just about to ~the speaker is about to do something very soon

Usage:

- V-(으)려던 참이다 = express that the speaker is just about to do it very soon = "be just about to do" in English

- V-(으)려던 참이었다 = express that the speaker was already intending to do something =  "have already been planning to do" or "was just about to do" in English

Tense:

Verb +-(으)려던 참이다:

사다 -> 사려던 참이다 (be just about to buy)

가다 -> 가려던 참이다 (be just about to go)

먹더 -> 먹으려던 참이다 (be just about to eat)

열다 -> 열려던 참이다 (be just about to open)

잠을 자다 -> 잠을 자려던 참이다 (be just about to sleep)

나가다 -> 나가려던 참이다 (be just about to go out)

전화하다 -> 전화하려던 참이다 (be just about to call)

Specific usage:

1. Differences between V-(으)려던 참이다 and V-(으)려던 참이었다. 

지금 그 책을 사려던 참이에요.

I am just about to buy that book now. (at the moment of conversation)

그 책을 사려던 참이었어요.

I have already been planning to buy that book. (before the time of conversation)

2. Phrase 마침, 그렇지 않아도, and 안 그래도 can be used with the expression to express that the speaker had already intended to do the action.

같이 식사할래요? 

- 마침 밥을 먹으려던 참였어요.

Would you like to eat together?

- I was just about to eat.

3. V-(으)려던 참에 is used when another clause is followed.

내가 전화를 하려던 참에 어머니가 전화를 하셨어요. 

When I was about to make a phone call to my mother, I got a call from her.

Examples:

1. 저 영화가 재미있다고 하는데 저 영화를 볼래요?

- 좋아요. 그렇지 않아도 나도 보려던 참이었어요.

I heard the movie is interesting. Do you want to see it?

- Sounds good. Even if you hadn't asked, I had been planning to see it anyway.

2. 뭘 하고 있어요?

- 배가 고파서 라면을 끓이려던 참인데 같이 먹을래요?

What are you doing?

- I am hungry so I was just about to cook some noodles.  Do you want to have some together?

3. 얼굴 표정이 왜 그래요?

- 피곤해서 잠깐 쉬려던 참인데 사장님이 들어오셔서 당황해서 그래요.

Why do you have such a surprised face?

- I was tired and about to have a break, then the president came in and I was taken by surprise.

4. 수지 씨 뭐 하고 있어요?

- 커피를 마시려던 참이었는데 같이 마실래요?

What are you doing Suzy?

- I was just about to have some coffee,  so would you like to have some with me?

5. 더우니까 문을 좀 엽시다.

- 그렇지 않아도  문을 열려던 참이에요.

Let me open the door since it’s hot.

- Even if you don’t say so, I am just about to open the door.

6. 시간이 없으니까 좀 서두릅시다.

- 그렇지 않아도 지금 나가려던 참이에요.

I don’t have time, so let’s hurry.

- Even if you don’t say so, I am just about to leave now.

7. 한국 요리를 배우려고 하는데 같이 배울까요?

- 좋아요. 저도 한국 요리를 배워 보려던 참였어요.

I am planning to learn Korean cuisine, shall we learn together?

- It’s great. I was also thinking about learning it.

8. 급한 일이 생겨서 약속을 미루려던 참였어요.

Since I have an urgent work, I was just about to postpone the appointment.

9. 버스를 타려던 참에 그를 만났다.

As I was just about to get on the bus, I met him.

10. 안 그래도 전화하려던 참이었어.

I was just about to call you anyway.

11. 막 점심을 먹으려던 참인데 같이 갈래요?

I was just about to have lunch. Would you like to come with me?

Comparison between V-(으)려고 하다 and V-(으)려던 참이다

1. V-(으)려고 하다 : action can be done from now (지금), near future (오늘, 오후), and distant further (담 달, 내년)

2. V-(으)려던 참이다: action can be done from now (지금) and near future (오늘, 오후).