connective N2 common writtenpolite
〜はもとより — not to mention ~
〜はもとより ・ はもとより
Meaning
- not to mention ~ / ~ as a matter of course (and also) — formal 'A goes without saying, and B as well'
Key sentence
この製品は国内はもとより、海外でも人気が高い。
This product is popular not only at home but abroad as well.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun + は + もとより | Aはもとより、Bも〜 | 本人はもとより家族も |
When: Formal and written/literary — speeches, essays, reports. In ordinary conversation はもちろん is the natural choice.
Examples
彼女は学業はもとより、スポーツでも優秀だ。
She excels not only in her studies but in sports as well.
成功には努力はもとより運も必要だ。
Success requires effort as a matter of course, and luck too.
When you can't use it
- Treats A as self-evident and adds B (the B clause usually carries も). Note that もとより on its own can also mean 'from the start / originally', a separate adverbial use.
Easily confused with
See 〜はもとより in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜はもとより the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.