modality N1 uncommon writtenpolite
〜ようにも〜ない — even if one wanted to ~, one cannot
〜ようにも〜ない
Builds on 意向形
Meaning
- even if one wanted to ~, one cannot — the will is there but external circumstances make the action impossible; the same verb is repeated in volitional + potential-negative
Key sentence
熱が高くて、起きようにも起きられない。
My fever's so high that I can't get up even though I want to.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (volitional) + にも + same verb (potential negative) | V(よ)う + にも + V(可能・ない) | 行こうにも行けない / 言おうにも言えない |
Examples
道具がないので、直そうにも直せない。
Without the tools, I can't fix it even if I wanted to.
電車が止まって、帰ろうにも帰れなかった。
The trains had stopped, so I couldn't get home even though I wanted to.
When you can't use it
- The same verb is normally repeated — volitional first, potential-negative second (行こうにも行けない). The blocker is an external circumstance, not mere unwillingness.
Easily confused with
See 〜ようにも〜ない in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜ようにも〜ない 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.