N2 Grammar 12/60

〜にもかかわらず

In spite of ~; although ~

Formation

  • V普通形 + にもかかわらず
  • いA普通形 + にもかかわらず
  • なA / なA + である + にもかかわらず(過去: なA + だった)
  • N / N + である + にもかかわらず(過去: N + だった)

Explanation

It shows that the result is different from what you would normally expect from the first fact. It often carries surprise, dissatisfaction or admiration. The meaning is close to 〜のに, but it is more formal and used in writing or formal speech. It can also start a sentence as それにもかかわらず.

Examples

  • 雨あめにもかかわらず、大勢おおぜいの人ひとがお祭まつりに来きた。

    Despite the rain, a lot of people came to the festival.

  • 何度なんども注意ちゅういしたにもかかわらず、彼かれはまた遅刻ちこくした。

    Although I warned him many times, he was late again.

  • この店みせは駅えきから遠とおくて不便ふべんであるにもかかわらず、いつも混こんでいる。

    Although this shop is far from the station and inconvenient, it is always crowded.

  • 値段ねだんが高たかいにもかかわらず、この新あたらしいパソコンはよく売うれている。

    In spite of its high price, this new computer is selling well.

Notes

The second clause cannot be a command, request or volition (〜てください, 〜よう). Be careful: 〜にかかわらず (regardless of) has a completely different meaning, so check whether も is there.

Related grammar

Mini quiz

1彼かれは一生懸命いっしょうけんめい練習れんしゅうした(  )、試合しあいに負まけてしまった。

Answer and explanation

Answer: 1 にもかかわらず

"Although he practiced very hard, he lost the match." The result is unexpected, so にもかかわらず fits. にかかわらず and を問わず mean "regardless of" and do not fit.

2日曜日にちようび(  )、佐藤さとうさんは会社かいしゃで仕事しごとをしていた。

Answer and explanation

Answer: 3 であるにもかかわらず

"Although it was Sunday, Sato was working at the office." A noun connects as N + にもかかわらず or N + である + にもかかわらず. Forms with だ, で or な are wrong.

3駅えきから遠とおい(  )、このアパートはすぐに借かり手てが見みつかった。

Answer and explanation

Answer: 2 にもかかわらず

"Although it is far from the station, this apartment found a tenant right away." The result is unexpected, so にもかかわらず fits. The other three attach to nouns, not to i-adjectives.

Practice this in N2 · Day 6

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