～ものの

How to form it

• Verb (plain form) + ものの
• い-adjective + ものの
• な-adjective + な/である + ものの
• Noun + である + ものの

Register: Written or formal speech

Explanation

Accepts the first statement as true, then says that the real situation does not match what the first statement suggests. Very often used for something the speaker started or obtained.

Carries a mild feeling of disappointment: you did or have the first thing, but the follow-through is lacking. The second clause is usually an unsatisfying result and is not usually a request or an order.

Examples

1. 日本語を習い始めたものの、なかなか上達しない。

   にほんごをならいはじめたものの、なかなかじょうたつしない。

   I started learning Japanese, but I'm not improving much.

2. 免許は取ったものの、車を買うお金がない。

   めんきょはとったものの、くるまをかうおかねがない。

   I got my licence, but I don't have the money to buy a car.

3. 頭ではわかっているものの、行動に移せない。

   あたまではわかっているものの、こうどうにうつせない。

   I understand it in my head, but I can't act on it.

Compare with

• ～にもかかわらず: にもかかわらず is more objective and can describe events that surprise the reader; ものの leans on what the speaker did or has.

Common mistakes

• Putting a command or request in the second clause. It is normally a statement of the contrary result.