Verb て-form + も

[Even If / Even Though (Basic Verb Focus)]

Connection: Verb て-form + も

This is the basic verb concessive pattern expressing "even if" or "even though." It indicates that the result in the main clause doesn't change despite the condition stated in the ても clause.

Formation:

• Affirmative: Verb て-form + も

  • 行っても (even if go)
  • 食べても (even if eat)
  • 勉強しても (even if study)

• Negative: Verb ない-form + くても

  • 行かなくても (even if don't go)
  • 食べなくても (even if don't eat)
  • 勉強しなくても (even if don't study)

Usage notes: This pattern sets up a condition that would normally affect the outcome, but the speaker indicates that the usual consequence doesn't apply. The main clause shows what happens regardless.

Comparison with similar patterns:

• ても: even if (neutral concessive)
• のに: even though (unexpected, often with disappointment)
• けど: but/although (simple contrast, less emphatic)

Examples:

• 雨が降っても、行きます。(Even if it rains, I'll go.)
• どんなに頑張っても、できません。(No matter how hard I try, I can't do it.)
• お金がなくても、幸せです。(Even without money, I'm happy.)