Expressions of concession, contrast, and comparison

Pattern 〜のに (meski)

「〜のに(meskipun, padahal)」 connects two contrasting clauses. The clause in front states a situation, and the clause behind states a result that does not match expectation or general assumption. This pattern is used for facts that have already happened, not for hypotheticals. Its form: 動詞・い形容詞の普通形 + のに, 形容動詞 + なのに, 名詞 + なのに. This pattern is often used to express surprise, disappointment, or regret. When a warning has been given repeatedly but the same mistake still happens, 「〜のに」 is the appropriate pattern to describe that situation.

• 〜のに — states a result that is contrary to expectation. Example: 「雨が降っているのに、彼は傘を持たずに出かけた。」 (Although it is raining, he went out without bringing an umbrella.)
• 〜ので / 〜から — states a natural cause with a corresponding effect, so it does not fit a contrastive meaning. Example: 「寒いので、窓を閉めた。」 (Because it was cold, I closed the window.)
• 〜ために — states an objective cause or purpose, not contrast.
• 〜ばかりに — states a cause that leads to an unfortunate result that is regretted, not an ordinary contrast.

In the 〜のに pattern, the past form 「〜た + のに」 is often used for an action that has been done but whose result does not match the hope. Example: 「毎日練習したのに、なかなか上手にならない。」 (Although I have practiced every day, my ability has not improved easily.) In sentence structure, 「のに」 is placed after the clause of the situation and followed by the clause of the contrary result. When medicine has been taken but the symptoms do not improve, the fact that is contrary to expectation is expressed with 「〜のに」. Rain, which is usually a reason for postponement, yet the activity still goes on, is also expressed with 「〜のに」.

Pattern 〜ものの (although/but)

「〜ものの(although ... but ...)」 connects two contrasting statements. This pattern acknowledges the content of the first clause, then expresses a shortcoming, difficulty, or unexpected result. Form: 動詞の普通形(た形・辞書形) + ものの, い形容詞 + ものの, 形容動詞 + だった + ものの, 名詞 + だった + ものの. This pattern is used for facts that have already happened and sounds more formal than 「〜けれど」.

• 〜ものの — acknowledges a fact, then states the opposite. Example: 「試験には合格したものの、まだ満足していない。」 (Indeed, I passed the exam, but I am not yet satisfied.)
• 〜のに — expresses contrast with expectation, with a tone of surprise or disappointment. 〜ものの is more neutral and is often used to describe a reality that partly contradicts something.
• 〜わけではない — denies a conclusion, rather than stating a contradiction between two facts.
• 〜ところで — used for a hypothetical or a sarcastic remark that an effort will not be useful, not for contrasting facts.

The pattern 「〜たものの」 states that an effort has been made, but the result did not match expectations. Example: 「練習を続けたものの、なかなか上達しなかった。」 (Although practice was continued, the ability did not improve at all.) In reading passages, 「〜ものの」 is used to describe a change from difficulty at the beginning to a better state. Another example: 「最初は難しかったものの、今では慣れた。」 (It was difficult at first, but now I am used to it.) This pattern is also used for an effort that was made but failed at the time of execution. In the form 「効きにくかったものの」, 「〜ものの」 states that the initial condition was less than successful, and the following condition then improved.

Pattern 〜ても (although, even if)

「〜ても(although, even if)」 states that the situation in the preceding clause does not affect the result that follows. Form: 動詞の て形 + も, い形容詞 + くても, 形容動詞 + でも, 名詞 + でも. This pattern is often paired with 「いくら」「どんなに」「たとえ」 to emphasize a concessive meaning.

• いくら〜ても — no matter how much ... Often used with a negative form. Example: 「いくら説明しても、彼は理解しようとしない。」 (No matter how much it is explained, he does not try to understand.)
• たとえ〜ても — even if (hypothetical). Example: 「たとえ一人になっても、この計画は続ける。」 (Even if I am alone, I will continue this plan.)
• どんなに〜ても — however ... Example: 「どんなに寒くても、外でスポーツをする。」 (However cold it is, I still exercise outdoors.)
• 〜たら / 〜ば / 〜なら — express ordinary conditions, not a concessive meaning.
• 〜ので — expresses cause, not contrast.

In the pattern 「どんなに〜ても」, an extreme condition is followed by a result that does not change. Example: 「どんなに雨が降っても、大会は行われる。」 (No matter how heavily it rains, the tournament will still be held.) The 「〜ても」 form is also used for facts that do not change the result, rather than for hypotheticals: 「雨が降っても、試合は予定どおり行われる。」 (Even though it rains, the match will take place as scheduled.) With i-adjectives, 「寒くても」 states that the cold does not change a habit. In a hypothetical sentence using 「たとえ」 with 「〜ても」, the main decision remains unchanged. The negative form 「〜てくれない」 can also be used in this pattern to state that a request did not produce a result.

Pattern 〜にもかかわらず (although)

「〜にもかかわらず(although, even so)」 expresses a result that is contrary to common expectation or to a condition that would normally prevent it. Forms: 名詞 + にもかかわらず, 動詞の普通形 + にもかかわらず, 形容動詞・い形容詞の普通形 + にもかかわらず. This pattern is more formal and often appears in writing, news, or reports.

• 〜にもかかわらず — expresses a result that does not match the expected condition. Example: 「忙しいにもかかわらず、彼は毎日運動を続けている。」 (Although he is busy, he keeps exercising every day.)
• 〜にともなって — along with, expresses a change that occurs at the same time. It does not express contrast.
• 〜にわたって — throughout or over, expresses a span of time or an area.
• 〜に限って — specifically for, precisely when, expresses a limitation.
• 〜ばかりでなく — not only ... but also, expresses addition.

In linking sentences, 「にもかかわらず」 is used after a sentence that expresses a feeling or state, and the next sentence expresses the opposite result. Example: 「準備は不十分だった。にもかかわらず、発表は好評だった。」 (The preparation was insufficient. Nevertheless, the presentation was well received.) In sentence order, 「にも」 is placed before 「かかわらず」 and after the clause of state, so that they form one complete pattern.

Pattern 〜のわりに (judging against price)

「〜わりに(は)(considering ..., compared with ...)」 expresses that a result appears different from the expectation that would normally arise from a situation. Forms: 名詞 + の + わりに(は), 形容動詞 + な + わりに(は), 動詞・い形容詞の普通形 + わりに(は). This pattern is often used to evaluate price, age, effort, or ability against the result obtained.

• 〜のわりに — compares a condition with the result obtained. Example: 「このカメラは価格のわりに、写りがきれいだ。」 (For its price, this camera takes beautiful pictures.)
• 〜のに — expresses a direct contrast with an expectation, not an evaluation against a general comparison.
• 〜くせに — criticizes someone who does not match their circumstances, usually with a negative tone.
• 〜ばかりに — expresses a cause that leads to a bad outcome; it is not used for evaluation.

The pattern 「〜わりに」 can be used to praise someone who differs from their general impression. Example: 「彼女は経験が浅いわりに、判断が正確だ。」 (Considering her limited experience, her judgment is very accurate.) The same pattern is used to describe a result that exceeds expectations given limited effort. Example: 「練習の時間が少ないわりに、試合では良い結果を出した。」 (Considering how little practice time he had, he achieved a good result in the match.)

Pattern 〜としても (even if supposing)

「〜としても(even if, even supposing)」 expresses a supposition or assumption, and states that the conclusion remains unchanged even if that assumption is true. Form: 動詞・い形容詞・形容動詞・名詞の普通形 + としても. This pattern is often paired with 「たとえ」 or 「どんなに」 at the beginning of the supposition clause.