GrammarJLPT N5
→ to try to ...
To Try To / To Be About To / To Regard As
JLPT N5Fixed phraseNeutral
The expression 〜とする is a versatile grammar point that combines the quotative particle と with the verb する. Its most common use is in the volitional form pattern （よう）とする, meaning "to try to do" or "to be about to do" something. When used with the volitional form, it describes either an attempt to perform an action (often one that is difficult or ultimately unsuccessful) or the moment just before an action takes place. Beyond this primary usage, 〜とする can also mean "to regard as" or "to assume as," where something is treated or considered in a particular way, often seen in formal or written contexts. It can additionally mean "to decide on" something, similar to 〜にする but with a more formal or hypothetical nuance. Compared to 〜ようにする, which means "to make an effort to" as a habitual practice, （よう）とする focuses on a single, specific attempt or moment. Compared to 〜ところだ, which describes the timing of an action objectively, （よう）とする emphasizes the subject's volition or intention.
Functions
#1 Attempting to do something (often unsuccessful)
Structure
Verb (volitional form) + とする
ドアを開けようとしたが、開かなかった。
Here とした (the past tense of とする) is attached to the volitional form 開けよう to express that the speaker attempted to open the door. The use of が followed by a negative result (開かなかった) is very common with this pattern, indicating that the attempt was unsuccessful. This is the most frequently encountered use of 〜とする, and it highlights the effort or intention behind the action rather than the action's completion.I tried to open the door, but it wouldn't open.
Structures
- Trying to / About to (Volitional)
- Verb (volitional form) + とする
- Regard as / Assume as
- Noun / Clause + とする
Common mistakes
A common mistake is confusing the "try to" meaning of 〜とする with 〜てみる. While 〜てみる means to try something to see the result (implying the action is completed), （よう）とする emphasizes the attempt or effort itself, often implying difficulty or failure. Another frequent error is forgetting to use the volitional form before とする when expressing "try to" or "about to" — writing 食べるとする instead of the correct 食べようとする. Learners also sometimes confuse 〜とする with 〜ようにする; the latter means making an ongoing effort or habit (e.g., 毎日走るようにする — I make it a point to run every day), while （よう）とする refers to a single specific attempt. Finally, for the "regard as" and "decide on" meanings, learners should be aware that these belong to a more formal register and should not be mixed up with the volitional-form patterns.
Related
〜ようとする〜にする〜ことにする〜として〜つもり〜ところだ