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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜はもとより

    〜はもとより

    〜はもとより

    A is a given, but also B; not only A, but also B. This is a formal expression used to add an item (B) to an already obvious or expected item (A). It is a more formal equivalent of 〜はもちろん.

    N2KMT7FormalStandardCompound ParticleMixedLet Alone Not To MentionGrammar

    Noun + はもとよりPrimary

    This means "not only A, but also B." It shows that B is true, just like A is true. You use it when A is already clear or expected.

    その製せい品ひんは、国こく内ないはもとより、海かい外がいでも高たかく評ひょう価かされている。

    That product is highly acclaimed not only domestically, but overseas as well.

    FormalProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeBusiness & Finance
    その問もん題だいの答こたえは、学がく生せいはもとより、教きょう師しでさえ知しらなかった。

    Regarding the answer to that problem, not only the students but even the teacher didn't know it.

    FormalPastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEducation
    パーティーには、社しゃ員いんはもとより、多おおくの著ちょ名めいな方かた々がたにもご出しゅっ席せきいただきました。

    The party was attended not only by our employees, but also by many distinguished guests.

    HumblePastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & CareerCulture & Traditions
    そのお寺てらは、紅こう葉ようの秋あきはもとより、新しん緑りょくの初しょ夏かも素うつ晴くらしい。

    That temple is beautiful not only in the autumn with its colored leaves, but also in the fresh green of early summer.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeNature & EnvironmentTravel & Transportation
    火か災さいの際さいには、消しょう火かはもとより、安あん全ぜんな場ば所しょへの避ひ難なんが最もっとも重じゅう要ようです。

    In the event of a fire, evacuation to a safe place is of the utmost importance, to say nothing of extinguishing the fire itself.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceNecessityDaily Life

    This phrase is very formal. It is like wearing a tuxedo to a picnic. Use it for speeches or official writing. Do not use it when chatting with friends. It will sound strange.

    This is like saying "not only A, but also B." It is more formal than 〜はもちろん. 〜はおろか is different. It means "let alone A, even B is impossible." 〜はもとより does not have this negative meaning.

    Don't use this when you want to connect verbs or adjectives. For example, you wouldn't say "食べるはもとより." This phrase usually connects two nouns. Both nouns should be in the same group. The second part of the sentence is usually good or neutral. It means the second thing is also true.

    Contrasts with(1)

    〜はおろか

    You use this to say that something very basic is not possible. This means something more difficult is also not possible. The sentence will always be negative.

    More formal alternatives(4)

    〜どころか

    Far from A, on the contrary B. Used to strongly deny the first statement (A) and present a contrasting reality (B) that is often more extreme or the opposite of what was expected.

    〜はもちろん

    This means "not only X, but also Y." You use it to say that X is true, and Y is also true. It shows that Y is an extra thing.

    〜ばかりか

    This means "not only X, but also Y." You use it when something is true for X, and also true for Y. Often, Y is more surprising than X.

    〜をはじめ(として)

    This grammar shows one main example. It means "starting with this one." It also means there are other similar things.

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    〜のみならず

    This means 'not only X, but also Y'. It shows that something is true for more than just X.

    〜はもちろん

    This means "not only X, but also Y." You use it to say that X is true, and Y is also true. It shows that Y is an extra thing.

    〜だけでなく

    This means 'not only A, but also B'. You use it to add new information. The new information (B) is often more important than A.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    more_formal_than

    • 〜どころか
    • 〜はもちろん
    • 〜ばかりか
    • 〜をはじめ(として)

    Similar concepts

    • 〜はおろか

    less_formal_than

    • 〜のみならず

    prerequisite

    • 〜だけでなく

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