# いずれにしても: in any case
> Learn how to use いずれにしても, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning in any case, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-izure-ni-shite-mo/
**いずれにしても** means **in any case**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to summarize a conclusion after considering multiple possibilities.
This grammar point often appears in advanced essays, reports, opinion writing, speeches, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to follow advanced arguments where the writer closes off alternatives and moves to a conclusion, **いずれにしても** is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you read Japanese with more precision.
## What does いずれにしても mean?
Use **いずれにしても** when you want to say that the same conclusion applies no matter which possibility is true.
Natural translations include:
- in any case
- either way
- whatever the case may be
The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer's or speaker's purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.
## How to form いずれにしても
**いずれにしても** + conclusion / Possibility A. Possibility B. **いずれにしても**, conclusion.
Examples of the pattern:
- いずれにしても、確認が必要だ
- 結果がどうであれ、いずれにしても準備する
- 原因は不明だが、いずれにしても対策がいる
The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.
## When is いずれにしても used?
Use **いずれにしても** in situations like:
- summarizing after alternatives
- returning to the main conclusion
- showing that different possibilities lead to the same action
Tone and register:
- formal, written, and advanced; more common in essays than casual chat
- Common in JLPT N1 reading, editorials, reports, and formal discussion
## いずれにしても example sentences
- いずれにしても、早めに連絡したほうがいい。 — In any case, you should contact them early.
- 結果がどうであれ、いずれにしても準備は必要だ。 — Whatever the result, preparation is necessary either way.
- 原因はまだ分からない。いずれにしても、調査を続けるべきだ。 — The cause is still unknown. In any case, we should continue the investigation.
- 賛成でも反対でも、いずれにしても意見を出してください。 — Whether you agree or disagree, in any case, please share your opinion.
- 計画を変える可能性がある。いずれにしても、今日中に決定する。 — There is a possibility we will change the plan. Either way, we will decide today.
After reading each sentence, ask what job **いずれにしても** is doing: completion, limitation, soft denial, or summarizing a conclusion. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.
## Nuance of いずれにしても
The key nuance is **the conclusion stands regardless of which option is chosen**.
This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer's attitude, the scope of a rule, or the relationship between two ideas.
For example:
- In argumentative writing, it sounds logical and conclusive.
- Compared with **どちらにしても**, it feels more formal and broader.
## いずれにしても vs どちらにしても
Both **いずれにしても** and **どちらにしても** can express related ideas, but they are different.
**いずれにしても**:
- works after multiple possibilities, not only two
- sounds suitable for advanced written conclusions
**どちらにしても**:
- often means “whichever of two options”
- can sound more conversational and narrower
Quick contrast examples:
- いずれにしても、対策が必要だ。— In any case, countermeasures are necessary.
- どちらにしても、行くつもりです。— Either way, I plan to go.
If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.
## Common mistakes with いずれにしても
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it before presenting the alternatives instead of after or near the conclusion
- Treating it as a casual filler like とにかく
- Missing that it often signals the writer’s final conclusion
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **いずれにしても**, then rewrite it with **どちらにしても**. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.
## Is いずれにしても on the JLPT?
Yes. **いずれにしても** is commonly taught as **JLPT N1** grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.
## Practice questions for いずれにしても
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Summarize two possible outcomes with the same conclusion.
- Write a formal sentence saying investigation is necessary either way.
- Compare いずれにしても with どちらにしても in one pair of sentences.
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.
## Learning path for いずれにしても
To learn **いずれにしても** efficiently, start with its core function, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in formal contexts.
1. First, make sure you can use **いずれにしても** to close off alternatives and state a single conclusion without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with **どちらにしても**. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the scope and register of いずれにしても.
3. Finally, write sentences where **いずれにしても** is necessary; then check whether replacing it with **どちらにしても** or **とにかく** changes the meaning or tone.
## Related grammar to review next
- どちらにしても — because it also expresses "either way," but limits the scope to two options and sounds more conversational
- とにかく — because it is the casual filler sometimes confused with this pattern; it lacks the formal, conclusive weight of いずれにしても
## Learn いずれにしても with Hane
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