JLPT N2 Contrast and concession
ものの and にもかかわらず mean "although", but ものの admits something only half-heartedly while にもかかわらず is formal and factual. にせよ・にしろ and にしても～にしても mean "whether ... or", and 反面 and 一方で weigh two sides of one thing. からといって is easy to misuse: it must be followed by a negative conclusion like わけではない.
17 N2 grammar points in this group
ものの (monono): but; although; even though
Use ものの when you want to express that while a certain fact or action is true, the expected result did not follow.
努力したものの、結果は出なかった。 — I tried hard, but I didn't get results.
にも関わらず (nimo kakawarazu): despite; although
Use にも関わらず when you want to show an unexpected result despite a condition.
雨にも関わらず、多くの人が集まった。 — Despite the rain, many people gathered.
くせして (kuse shite): although; despite the fact that; even though
Use くせして when you want to express that someone acts or says something that contradicts their situation or claimed knowledge — with irritation.
知っているくせして、教えてくれなかった。 — He knew, yet he didn't tell me.
つつ (tsutsu): while; even though
Use つつ when you want to connect simultaneous action or contrast in a written style.
音楽を聞きつつ、作業を進めた。 — I worked while listening to music.
としても (toshitemo): even if; assuming
Use としても when you want to accept a hypothetical condition before giving a conclusion.
行けるとしても、少し遅れると思います。 — Even if I can go, I think I will be a little late.
とも (tomo): even if; no matter
Use とも when you want to make a formal concessive statement meaning even if.
何があろうとも、諦めない。 — No matter what happens, I won't give up.
にせよ / にしろ (ni seyo ni shiro): even if; whether
Use にせよ / にしろ when you want to concede a possibility before making the main point.
行くにせよ、早めに連絡してください。 — Even if you go, please contact me early.
にしろ～にしろ (ni shiro ni shiro): whether… or…
Use にしろ～にしろ when you want to list alternatives and say the same conclusion applies.
行くにしろ行かないにしろ、返事は今日中にください。 — Whether you go or not, please reply today.
にしても～にしても (ni shitemo ni shitemo): whether… or…
Use にしても～にしても when you want to present alternatives and say both lead to the same point.
行くにしても行かないにしても、早く決めてください。 — Whether you go or not, please decide soon.
からと言って (kara to itte): just because; even if; even though
Use からと言って（からといって） when you want to express that just because a certain reason exists, that does not justify or necessarily lead to something else.
高いからと言って、必ずしも品質が良いとは限らない。 — Just because something is expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's good quality.
反面 (hanmen): while, although; on the other hand
Use 反面（はんめん） when you want to express that one thing has both a good and a bad side; acknowledging both.
この仕事は給料が高い反面、残業が多い。 — This job pays well, but on the other hand there is a lot of overtime.
一方で (ippou de): on one hand, on the other hand; although
Use 一方で（いっぽうで） when you want to express that two contrasting or parallel situations exist at the same time.
観光客が増えている一方で、地元の人は減っている。 — While the number of tourists is increasing, the number of locals is decreasing.
逆に (gyaku ni): conversely; on the contrary
Use 逆に（ぎゃくに） when you want to express that looking at the opposite side of a situation, or stating something contrary to expectation.
失敗したけど、逆にいい経験になった。 — I failed, but on the contrary, it turned into a good experience.
かえって (kaette): on the contrary; rather; all the more; surprisingly
Use かえって when you want to express that an action or situation produces the opposite result of what was expected.
薬を飲んだら、かえって具合が悪くなった。 — After taking the medicine, I actually felt worse.
もっとも (motto mo): but then; although; though
Use もっとも when you want to express that the speaker acknowledges a point then adds a qualifying or contrasting caveat.
彼の意見は正しい。もっとも、例外もあるが。 — His opinion is correct. That said, there are exceptions.
それなのに (sore na noni): and yet; despite that
Use それなのに when you want to introduce an unexpected contrast with the previous statement.
一生懸命準備した。それなのに、発表はうまくいかなかった。 — I prepared hard. And yet, the presentation did not go well.
それにしても (sore ni shitemo): even so; at any rate
Use それにしても when you want to acknowledge a situation while adding surprise or a separate comment.
遅れるとは聞いていた。それにしても、三時間は長すぎる。 — I heard it would be delayed. Even so, three hours is too long.
More JLPT N2 grammar groups
- Conditionals and preconditions (10)
- Cause, reason, and "no wonder" (16)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Feelings, resolve, and exclamations (15)
- Possibility, risk, and certainty (14)
- Viewpoint and judging from appearance (11)
- Negation and "far from" (12)
- Limits, exceptions, and minimums (14)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (19)
- Timing: as soon as, since, in the end (15)
- Change, manner, and degree (21)
- Relational phrases: based on, regardless of (19)