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Formation: V-stem + こそすれ + (contrary) V + ない; する-verb noun + こそすれ (e.g. 感謝こそすれ)

In 'A こそすれ B ない', the speaker grants that A may happen and firmly denies the opposite, B. For example, 感謝こそすれ恨むことはない means 'I might well thank them, but I would never resent them'. It often corrects a mistaken assumption, so it can sound emphatic or slightly reproachful. It is formal and literary, found in essays, editorials and speeches. The second half must be a negative that is the reverse of A, often in the form 〜ことはない, 〜はずがない or 〜気配はない. A plainer way to say the same thing is 〜ことはあっても〜ことはない. Compared with 〜どころか, which overturns an expectation in everyday speech ('far from Y, actually A'), こそすれ is stiffer and puts the likely outcome first.

Examples

• 彼には感謝こそすれ、恨む理由などない。
  If anything I owe him thanks; I have no reason to resent him.
• 物価は上がりこそすれ、下がる気配はない。
  If anything, prices are rising; there is no sign of them falling.
• この問題は悪化こそすれ、自然に解決することはないだろう。
  If anything this problem will get worse; it won't resolve itself.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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