Verbる ともなしに Verb (Verb-ru tomonashi ni Verb)
Explanation
Expresses doing something unintentionally or without conscious thought.
Formation
Verb-dictionary form + ともなしに + Verb
Detailed Explanation
VerbるともなしにVerb is used to show that you do some action without particularly intending to. Often you ‘end up doing’ something by habit or casually.
Examples
本を読むともなしに眠ってしまった。
Hon o yomu tomonashi ni nemutte shimatta.
I ended up falling asleep while reading the book without really meaning to.
軽い気持ちで手紙を書くともなしに、彼に本心を告白した。
Karui kimochi de tegami o kaku tomonashi ni, kare ni honshin o kokuhaku shita.
While writing a letter casually, I ended up confessing my true feelings to him.
散歩をするともなしに、新しいカフェを見つけた。
Sanpo o suru tomonashi ni, atarashii kafe o mitsuketa.
While I was walking with no particular destination, I found a new cafe.
洋服を整理するともなしに、昔の写真を見つけた。
Youfuku o seiri suru tomonashi ni, mukashi no shashin o mitsuketa.
As I was absentmindedly organizing clothes, I came across some old photos.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.