Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 5: 17/18

(もと)より

Not only... but also, Let alone, Of course,

Structure

Noun + もとより + Phrase
Verb + こと(1) + もとより + Phrase

(1)

Details

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    Formal

About はもとより

(もと)より, commonly seen purely in hiragana, is a grammar pattern that indicates 'not only (A), but also (B) ', or 'let alone (A), (B)'. This construction is just a combination of は, the noun (もと) 'origin', and より. In this way, it is just highlighting that 'even compared to the original fact of (A), (B)'. Often, (A) will be something that is considered obvious, or the most well known information in regard to the topic.

はもとより may appear after nouns, or verb phrases that have been nominalized with の or こと.

Alternatively, はもとより may be used in structures where it is simply showing that (A) is the base from which (B) is also a fact. Although this may sound similar to the previous meaning, it translates closer to 'from the start, (A) is (B)', or 'by nature, (A) is (B)'. Which meaning is being used will usually be clear in the context of the overall sentence.

Examples

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    レオナルド・ダ・ヴィンチは偉大(いだい)画家(がか)であること(もと)より一流(いちりゅう)発明(はつめい)()一人(ひとり)でもある。

    Leonardo da Vinci is not only a great painter, but is also among one of the top inventors.

    砂漠(さばく)横切(よこぎ)(さい)(あつ)さや脱水(だっすい)(もと)より(きゅう)洪水(こうずい)非常(ひじょう)危険(きけん)です。ウィキペディアによれば、脱水(だっすい)より水難(すいなん)()(ひと)(ほう)(おお)いということです。

    When crossing a desert, not only can extreme heat and dehydration be dangerous, but also sudden floods. According to Wikipedia, there are more people who die from drowning than dehydration.

    LINUXというオペレーティングシステムはサーバによく使(つか)われているの(もと)より最近(さいきん)デスクトップのコンピュータの(なか)人気(にんき)があるようだ。

    The operating system known as Linux is not only often used on servers, but also seems to be popular on desktops.

    ()(しゃ)製造(せいぞう)する(ぼう)(ちゃ)日本(にっぽん)全国(ぜんこく)(もと)より海外(かいがい)でもよく()られている。

    The twig tea manufactured in our company is not only sold all over Japan, but also abroad.

    最近(さいきん)ではコンピューターやスマホ(もと)より()ブラシさえWIFIを(そな)えている。

    Recently, not only computers and smartphones, but even toothbrushes are equipped with wifi.

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はもとより – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

  • wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    Thanks again for your reply!

    That definitely fits the sense of the example sentence better. You’re right, I was getting stuck on the words “same logic,” but I might suggest those are the wrong words, based on what you’ve provided. “‘Same feeling’ or ‘similar manner’ or ‘in the same way,’” appear to better fit the example sentence. The thing is, those are largely subjective (perhaps except for “similar manner”), whereas “same logic” is mostly objective.

    Is it the case this grammar point is used for both objective and subjective inferences? I ask because the distinction is emphasized in other grammar points, whereas it’s not entirely clear for this one.

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    Err… You’ve reached the extent of my knowledge.
    @mrnoone Would you care to weigh in on this discussion?

  • wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    Ha, no worries! I appreciate the helpful feedback thus far.

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