A とも B とも
A tomo B tomo
JLPT N1 Very formal, literary
Formation
Noun + とも + Noun + とも (or sometimes Verb forms for each A, B)
Expresses two possibilities; 'either A or B', 'whether A or B'.
When to use
Formal, literary - one of several near-interchangeable "whether A or B" constructions; stylistic choice more than a formality ladder.
Explanation
The 'A とも B とも' grammar pattern indicates two possible scenarios. It can be translated as 'whether A or B' or 'either A or B'.
Example sentences
決断とも誤りとも、結果は時間が教えてくれるでしょう。
Whether it's a wise decision or a mistake, time will show the result.
Ketsudan tomo ayamari tomo, kekka wa jikan ga oshiete kureru deshou.
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He hasn't spoken to either his father or his brother in years.
Kare wa chichi tomo ani tomo, mou nannen mo hanashite inai.
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I plan to go watch a movie either with my girlfriend or a friend.
Kanojo tomo tomodachi tomo eiga o mi ni iku tsumori desu.
このゲームには時間とも努力とも言えないほどの根気が必要です。
This game requires a kind of persistence beyond just time or effort.
Kono geemu ni wa jikan tomo doryoku tomo ienai hodo no konki ga hitsuyou desu.
Regardless (Whether A Or B)
- A うと B うとA uto B utoN1Shows that the speaker is indifferent to both conditions…
- A かれ B かれA kare B kareN1Expresses 'whether A or B'; both situations are included.
- A であれ B であれA deare B deareN1Indicates the same statement applies to both A and B…
- A あるいは BA aruiwa BN2Indicates alternatives; 'A or B', 'either A or B'.
- Noun なり Noun なりA nari B nariN1Lists alternatives of the same kind; 'either A or B', 'A…
- A にしろ B にしろA nishiro B nishiroN1Means 'whether it is A or B'; 'regardless of A or B'.
- A にせよ B にせよA ni seyo B ni seyoN1Either A or B; Regardless of whether it's A or B.
- A につけ B につけA ni tsuke B ni tsukeN1Expresses 'whether... or...', 'both... and...', 'in either…
- Noun といい Noun といい〜to ii〜to iiN1Used to express 'both A and B'; 'whether it's A or B'…
- Noun といわず Noun といわずA to iwazu B to iwazuN1Expresses 'both A and B' or 'be it A or B'; applies to…
- ～にしろ～にしろ〜ni shiro 〜ni shiroN2Expresses 'either way', 'in any case', 'be it...', used…
- A うが B うがA uga B ugaN1Expresses the idea of 'no matter how... or', 'even if...…