Time and sequence

～ついでに

while at it; taking the opportunity

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How to form it

  • Verb (dictionary form / た-form) + ついでに
  • Noun + の + ついでに

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Says that you do a second action in addition to a main one you are already doing.

The main action is planned and the second one is a convenient extra, often a small errand.

Examples

  1. 買い物のついでに、郵便局に寄った。

    かいもののついでに、ゆうびんきょくによった。

    While out shopping, I stopped by the post office.

  2. 散歩のついでに、パンを買ってきた。

    さんぽのついでに、パンをかってきた。

    I bought some bread while on my walk.

  3. 京都に行ったついでに、友達に会ってきた。

    きょうとにいったついでに、ともだちにあってきた。

    While I was in Kyoto, I took the chance to meet a friend.

Compare with

  • ～たびに: たびに is repeated; ついでに is a one-time convenience.

Common mistakes

  • Using it when the second action is as important as the first. It should be a minor extra.