Mimi Kara N2 Grammar: （よ）うにも〜ない (yo) u nimo ~ nai

106. ～ （よ）うにも〜ない (yo) u nimo ~ nai

Meaning: want to~ but can’t

How to use: V +（にも）+ V (negation of possibility) / other negative patterns

Example sentences:

歯が痛くて食べようにも食べられない。
I have a toothache so I can’t eat even if I wanted to.

大雪で電車が止まってしまい、学校に行こうにも行けなかった。
Because of heavy snowfall, the train had to stop, so even though I wanted to, I couldn’t go to school.

体がだるくて起きようにも起きられず、会社を休んでしまった。
My whole body was sluggish, I couldn’t get up even if I wanted to, so I stopped working.

最近太りぎみなのだが、運動しようにも場所も時間もない。
I seem to have gained weight lately, but even if I wanted to do some exercise, I wouldn’t have the time or the place to go.

働こうにもこの不況では、なかなか仕事が見つからない。
In this crisis, it is difficult to find a job.

高熱が出たのだが、すぐに病院へ行こうにも、日曜でどこも休診だった。
I had a high fever, so I wanted to go to the hospital right away, but it was Sunday and they were closed everywhere.