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Formation: N + すら; N + ですら (as subject); N + にすら／とすら etc.; V-(よ)うと + すらしない

Gives an extreme or minimal example to suggest that everything else is obviously the same, as in 'not even X, so naturally not Y either'. It is most often used with negative verbs or in critical or surprised statements. It means much the same as 〜さえ but sounds more written and emphatic. Unlike さえ, すら does not form a conditional, so there is no すら〜ば to match 〜さえ〜ば. 〜だに is even more literary and is mostly limited to fixed phrases like 想像するだに and 夢にだに思わない.

Variants: ですら、にすら、とすら、すら〜ない

Examples

• あまりの疲れで、立っていることすらできなかった。
  I was so exhausted I couldn't even stay on my feet.
• 専門家ですら予測できなかった事態だ。
  It is a situation that even the experts could not foresee.
• 彼は自分の誤りを認めようとすらしない。
  He won't even try to admit his mistake.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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