Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 8: 22/22

ことは〜が

It is true...but, although, but

Structure

Verb + こと + Verb(*) + (1)

[い]Adjective + こと + [い]Adjective(*) + (1)

[な]Adjective + こと + [な]Adjective(*) + (1)

Noun + こと + Noun(*) + (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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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、なかなか解読(かいどく)できません。

    It is true that there are patterns, but I can't easily decode them.

    (あめ)()れたことは()れた(たい)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.

    (ねつ)()ことは()、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(しめきり)()ばせたことは()ばせた余裕(よゆう)ないですよ。

    It is true that the deadline was extended, but it will still be tight.

    ボルトは(はず)れることは(はず)れた、これ以上(いじょう)分解(ぶんかい)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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      ことは〜が – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • rukimon

        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

        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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