～にもかかわらず
～にもかかわらず means 'despite/in spite of...'. Very formal. Connects contrasting facts. Noun/na-adj + である + にもかかわらず.
彼は医者であるにもかかわらず、病気を治せなかった。
Despite being a doctor, he couldn't cure the illness.
N1 Grammar guide · group 27 of 29
JLPT N1 grammar, group 27
15 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this group～の身でありながら
Nの身でありながら means 'despite being.../although in the position of...'. Emphasizes contrast between status and action.
彼は学生の身でありながら、アルバイトで学費を払っている。
Despite being a student, he pays tuition with part-time work.
～ものの
～ものの means 'although.../even though...'. Formal written expression. Similar to けれども but more literary.
彼は知っているものの、黙っている。
Although he knows, he is keeping quiet.
～であるにしては
～であるにしては means 'for someone who is.../considering that...'. Used when reality doesn't match what's expected from the status. Expresses surprise/disappointment.
彼は学者であるにしては、専門外のことには詳しくない。
For someone who is a scholar, he doesn't know much outside his field.
～ば～ほど
～ば～ほど means 'the more...the more...'. Shows proportional increase. Classic N1 pattern for expressing correlation.
この問題は考えれば考えるほど訳が分からなくなる。
The more you think about this problem, the less sense it makes.
～とはいえ
～とはいえ means 'although.../even so...'. Used to concede a point before stating a contrast. More formal than けど/けれど.
彼は貧しいとはいえ、誇りを持っている。
Although he is poor, he has pride.
彼は貧しいとはいえ、人に分け与える。
Although he is poor, he shares with others.
～だけ～ても
～だけ～ても means 'no matter how much.../even if...'. Emphasizes that despite doing A to the fullest, B doesn't happen.
この薬は飲むだけ飲んでも、病気は治らない。
No matter how much of this medicine you take, the illness won't be cured.
この薬は飲むだけ飲んでも、症状は消えない。
No matter how much of this medicine you take, the symptoms won't disappear.
～ことは～が
～ことは～が means 'it is true that...but...'. Concedes a point before stating a drawback or contrast. Formal pattern.
この薬は効くことは効くが、習慣性がある。
It is true that this medicine works, but it is habit-forming.
～だけに
～だけに means 'precisely because.../all the more because...'. Emphasizes that A is the reason for B. Used when the reason is obvious.
この仕事は危険なだけに、慎重に進めるべきだ。
Precisely because this job is dangerous, we should proceed carefully.
～でありながら
～でありながら means 'despite being.../although...'. Formal. Used to contrast status/identity with acceptance of vulnerability.
彼は医者でありながら、人間の弱さを認める。
Despite being a doctor, he acknowledges human weakness.
～を余儀なくされる
～を余儀なくされる means to be forced or compelled to do something due to circumstances beyond one's control. It attaches to a noun (action noun) + を.
建物の老朽化により、病院は移転を余儀なくされた。
Due to building deterioration, the hospital was forced to relocate.
～たりとも
'Not even one [unit].' Always negative. Counter+たりとも+negative. Very formal/literary.
一枚たりとも提出漏れのないよう、再確認してください。
Please double-check so that not even a single document is missing.
～ないまでも
'Even if not [fully], at least.' Acknowledges ideal not reached but affirms a lesser level. V/Adjない+まで+も.
全て覚えていないまでも、重要なポイントだけでも記憶しておこう。
Even without memorizing everything, let's at least remember the key points.
～にもほどがある
'There's a limit to [bad behavior / excessive degree].' Expresses exasperation that something has gone too far. N/V/Adj+にもほどがある.
遅刻を繰り返すにもほどがあるだろう。正社員としての自覚を持ってほしい。
There's a limit to repeated lateness. I want you to have awareness as a full-time employee.
～に即して
'In accordance with / based on.' Used for following rules, facts, reality, or principles. N+に即して/に即した.
社会の変化に即して、教育制度を改革すべきだという意見がある。
There are opinions that the education system should be reformed in accordance with social changes.