What does ～ようにも mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

States wanting to do A but being blocked by objective circumstances. The following clause MUST be a negative potential form.

• 「～ようにも」 = even wanting to do A doesn't work, because circumstances get in the way. The following clause MUST be the NEGATIVE POTENTIAL form (休めない).
• The obstructing cause must be OBJECTIVE (busy, broken, no money), not due to laziness.
• The full form is 「～ようにも～ない」 (N1-197) — the same pattern, just presented differently.

Examples

• 仕事(しごと)が山積(やまづ)みで、休(やす)もうにも休(やす)めない。

  With work piled up, I can’t take a break even if I want to.

• 車(くるま)が故障(こしょう)して、出(で)かけようにも出(で)かけられない。

  The car broke down, so I can’t go out even if I wanted to.

Keep in mind

• The clause that follows requires a negated potential form.
• The obstructing reason must be objective.

Common mistakes

• Wrong休(やす)もうにも休(やす)まない。

  Even wanting to rest, I can't rest.

  Correct休(やす)もうにも休(やす)めない。

  The following clause must be the negative POTENTIAL form (休めない), not the negative volitional form (休まない).

• Wrong眠(ねむ)いので、勉強(べんきょう)しようにも勉強(べんきょう)できない。

  Because I'm sleepy, I can't study even though I want to.

  Correct停電(ていでん)で、勉強(べんきょう)しようにも勉強(べんきょう)できない。

  The obstructing reason must be OBJECTIVE; being sleepy is a subjective reason and doesn't fit this pattern.

Exam tips

• 「ようにも」 = can't do A even if one wants to; the following clause must be a negative potential form.

Related patterns

• ～ようにも～ない
• ～ようがない
• ～たくても～ない