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Formation: V-volitional (〜よう／〜おう) + にも + V-potential negative (often the same verb: 行こうにも行けない) or a clause giving the obstacle

Says that someone wants or tries to do something but cannot, because of an obstacle that is usually stated in the sentence. It carries frustration or helplessness. It is used in both writing and speech, but sounds a little more formal than 〜たくても〜ない. The first verb must be an action the person can choose to do, and the second part is usually the potential negative of the same verb, or a statement of why it is impossible (e.g. 連絡しようにも番号がわからない). Compare 〜ようがない, which says there is simply no way or method at all, while 〜ようにも〜ない focuses on wanting to act and being blocked.

Variants: 〜ようにも〜られない

Examples

• 財布を忘れたので、買おうにも買えなかった。
  I'd left my wallet behind, so I couldn't buy it even though I wanted to.
• 連絡しようにも、彼の電話番号がわからない。
  I'd like to contact him, but I don't know his phone number.
• 足をけがしていて、逃げようにも逃げられなかった。
  My leg was injured, so even if I'd tried to run, I couldn't have.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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