Verb ます stem + つ + Verb ます stem + つ

[Alternately doing ... and ...; back and forth]

Connection: Verb ます stem + つ + (contrasting) Verb ます stem + つ

Usage: A literary expression describing two alternating or reciprocal actions. Often used in set phrases. Conveys an image of back-and-forth movement or mutual interaction.

Common set phrases:

• 持ちつ持たれつ (give and take; mutual support)
• 行きつ戻りつ (going back and forth)
• 抜きつ抜かれつ (passing and being passed — neck and neck)
• 浮きつ沈みつ (floating and sinking)

Examples:

二人は持ちつ持たれつの関係だ。(The two have a give-and-take relationship.)

マラソンで抜きつ抜かれつの激しいレースが展開された。(A fierce neck-and-neck race unfolded in the marathon.)

決断できず、行きつ戻りつしていた。(Unable to decide, I kept going back and forth.)