〜ものの・〜とはいうものの

About

～ものの is a conjunction that is formal in tone and is used to set up a contrastive statement between a given expectation and reality.

～ものの is similar to "although; but; even though; despite" in English.

〜ものの is most commonly used in written scenarios, although it may occasionally be used when speaking.

〜ものの may attach to verbs, adjectives, and nouns.

E.g. 昇進しょうしんしたものの、給料きゅうりょうは上あがりませんでした。 "Even though I got a promotion, my pay didn't go up."

E.g. この掃除機そうじきは小ちいさいものの、吸引力きゅういんりょくは強つよいです。 "Although this vaccuum is small, it has good suction.

～とはいうものの may also be used, and has two key differences from ～ものの:

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  ① とはいうものの can come at the start of a sentence

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  ② とはいうものの creates a bigger sense of contrast between expectation and reality

〜とはいうものの is most often used when the expectation being broken is something that is generally accepted/common knowledge.

E.g. 災害さいがいに対たいしては、事前じぜんの準備じゅんびが必要ひつようとはいうものの、その場ばの対応たいおう力りょくが問とわれることも少すくなくありません。　"When it comes to disasters, although advance preparation is necessary, the actual response is also often put to the test."

E.g. 双子ふたごとはいうものの、好すきな食たべ物ものも音楽おんがくも全部ぜんぶ同おなじとは限かぎらない。 "Although they are twins, it's not guaranteed that they like all the same things like food and music."

Summary

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  ～ものの is a conjunction that is formal in tone and is used to set up a contrastive statement between a given expectation and reality

• 

  ～ものの is similar to "although; but; even though; despite" in English

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  The 〜とはいうものの pattern is also possible

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  とはいうものの may come at the start of a sentence, and is most often used when the expectation being broken is something that is generally accepted/common knowledge