modality N1 rare literary
〜んとする — be about to ~
〜んとする ・ んとする
Builds on 意向形
A full written guide for 〜んとする is on the way.
This point is mapped in the grammar tree, but its examples, formation table and usage notes haven't been written yet. The fastest way to learn it now is to meet it in real sentences inside Jengo.
See 〜んとする in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜んとする the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.