Structure
Verb + ことは + Verb(*) + が(1)
［い］Adjective + ことは + ［い］Adjective(*) + が(1)
［な］Adjective + なことは + ［な］Adjective(*) + だが(1)
Noun + なことは + Noun(*) + だが(1)
(1) けど、けども、けれど、けれども
(*) The same Adjective, Verb, or Noun
Details
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Standard
About ことは〜が
ことは～が is a set expression which indicates that 'while something is (A), also (B)'. In English, this is usually interpreted as '(A) is true, but (B), or 'although (A), (B)'. When this grammar structure is used, the same word will be repeated before both ことは and が (or けど). Due to this, the literal translation is similar to 'that which is (A) is (A), but (B)'. This simply emphasizes that the speaker recognizes (A) as being true, but would like to express information that is contrary to that.
ことは～が can appear with any type of word, but だ will need to be used following nouns before が, while な, である, だった or ではない tends to follow な-Adjectives.
In most cases, ことは～が expresses that the base fact of (A) is true, but the speaker has some sort of opinion or impression that is in opposition to that fact.
Examples
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パターンがあることはあるが、なかなか解読できません。
It is true that there are patterns, but I can't easily decode them.
雨に濡れたことは濡れたが、大したことはなかった。
It is true that it got soaked by the rain, but it wasn't a big deal.
熱が出たことは出たが、インフルエンザではありませんでした。
It is true that I had a fever, but it wasn't the flu.
締切を延ばせたことは延ばせたが、余裕ないですよ。
It is true that the deadline was extended, but it will still be tight.
ボルトは外れることは外れたが、これ以上分解できない。
It is true that the bolts were able to be removed, but it cannot be dismantled any further.
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Breakdown and Additional Sentences
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Tobira
Page 195
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 206
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
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ことは〜が – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
rukimon
In this grammar form, how do you know which form the verb should take on both sides of the ことは ?
My understanding was that the verb should be in exactly the same form on both sides of ことは
However, in the examples on Bunpro, I also see
分かることは分かりますが、簡単な言葉だけです。(mixed politeness levels)
ボルトは外れることは外れたが, これ以上分解できない。(mixed tenses)
引越しはしたことはしたが、こっちの家も欠陥住宅だった。(both instances in past tense)
nekoyama
Politeness:
Politeness markers are usually not used in the middle of a sentence, so if the speaker wants to be polite the second word is the only option.
Tense:
For events in the past, the second word is in the past form, but the first word doesn’t have to be. There is no difference in meaning.
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