Grammar Info
N1 Lesson 6: 11/17

もさることながら
it is a fact that、 but, even more than, it goes without saying, not only but also,

Structure
Noun + さることながら
Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
Information
  • AもさることながらBもC is a formal set phrase meaning “not only A but also B”, however unlike expressions like はもちろん or だけではなくて it often indirectly emphasizes B, implying that while A is C too, B is kind of better.
  • Expressions like さらに、最も、何より、以上、実に can be used to make the nuance a bit more direct.
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《経営(けいえい)会議(かいぎ)社長(しゃちょう)「競争(きょうそう)が激(はげ)しいからマーケティング予算(よさん)を上(あ)げよう。」
部長(ぶちょう)「マーケティングもさることながら製品(せいひん)品質(ひんしつ)も重要(じゅうよう)なのではないでしょうか?」
Management meeting, company president: “The competition is intense, so we will increase the marketing budget.”
Head director: “It is a fact that marketing is important, but isn’t the product quality too?”
Because AもさることながらB only indirectly points B as better (and still acknowledges A) it might be a good phrase to use when we don't fully agree with our superior and want to politely express alternative
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《小説(しょうせつ)》だが、この国(くに)の強(つよ)さは、自国(じこく)の単独(たんどく)力量(りきりょう)もさることながら、同盟国(どうめいこく)の多(おお)さにある
Novel: However, it is a fact that the strength of this country lies in its power, but it also has numerous allies.
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入学(にゅうがく)試験(しけん)受(う)けることは、当人(とうにん)の苦痛(くつう)もさることながら家族(かぞく)にも、大(おお)きな心理的(しんりてき)負担(ふたん)を与(あた)えます。
It is a fact that taking an entrance exam is stressful for the person concerned, but it also places a psychological burden on the family.
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Books
Try N1
Page 60
Shin Kanzen Master N1 Bunpou
Page 17
Sou Matome Bunpou N1
Page 98
A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar
Page 283