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Formation: N + にもまして; question word + にもまして (何にもまして, 誰にもまして, いつにもまして)

This pattern means 'even more than X', where X is already high in degree. 例年にもまして暑い means it was hot in a normal year too, but this year is hotter still. With question words it means 'above all' or 'more than anyone or ever': 何にもまして (above all else), 誰にもまして (more than anyone), いつにもまして (more than ever). It is somewhat formal and common in writing, speeches and news, though phrases like いつにもまして are also used in everyday speech. Plain より just compares two things. 〜もさることながら first grants that X matters and then shifts the focus to Y. 〜にもまして directly says Y goes beyond an already notable X.

Variants: 何にもまして、誰にもまして、いつにもまして、以前にもまして

Examples

• 今年の夏は例年にもまして暑さが厳しい。
  This summer the heat is even fiercer than in a typical year.
• 何にもまして大切なのは家族の健康だ。
  What matters above all else is my family's health.
• 彼女は以前にもまして練習に励むようになった。
  She has started practising even harder than before.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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