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Even if (negative outcome)
Definition
The grammar pattern "名・動・形（普通体）＋としたところで" is used to express a negative or limited outcome, even if a certain assumption or perspective is taken. It is often used from the standpoint of a person or a hypothetical situation, and suggests that the result is still undesirable or impossible. This pattern is similar to ～たところで, but with a stronger emphasis on the assumption or perspective being taken.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun or adjective (普通体) | 名・動・形（普通体）＋としたところで | 彼が失敗したこと＋としたところで |
| Verb (基本形) | 名・動・形（普通体）＋としたところで | 彼が失敗したこと＋としたところで |
| Adjective (普通形) | 名・動・形（普通体）＋としたところで | 彼が失敗したこと＋としたところで |
Examples
彼が失敗したこと＋としたところで、今回の失敗には責任を感じているはずだ。
Kare ga maketa koto to shite, konna shippai ni sekinin o kanjite iru hazu da.
Even if he failed, he should feel responsible for this failure.
彼が失敗したこと (he failed) + としたところで (even if) + 今回の失敗には責任を感じているはずだ (he should feel responsible for this failure)
どんなに急いだとしても、定刻に間に合うのは絶望的だ。
Donna ni kueida to shite mo, teiki ni mani au no wa zetsubōteki da.
No matter how fast you go, it's hopeless to make it on time.
どんなに急いだとしても (no matter how fast) + 定刻に間に合うのは絶望的だ (it's hopeless to make it on time)
今回の不祥事は、組織として責任を免れることはできない。
Konna shippai wa, soshiki to shite sekinin o minureru koto wa dekinai.
This scandal is something that the organization cannot avoid being responsible for.
今回の不祥事 (this scandal) + 組織として (as an organization) + 責任を免れることはできない (cannot avoid being responsible)
Context
This pattern is used to express a negative or limited outcome, even if a certain assumption or perspective is taken. It is often used in formal or written Japanese. It can be compared to ～たところで, but with a stronger emphasis on the assumption or perspective being taken.
Watch out
'Ni shita' can have different meanings depending on the context, whereas 'to shite' is a fixed expression used to indicate a hypothetical situation.
This pattern is used to express a negative or limited outcome, not a positive possibility.
～としたら is used to express an assumption or a hypothetical situation, whereas ～としたところで is used to express a negative or limited outcome, even if a certain assumption or perspective is taken.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the meaning of the sentence. This pattern is often used in formal or written Japanese, so be careful with the vocabulary and grammar.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 名・動・形（普通体）＋としたところで used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
彼としたところで、今回の失敗には責任を感じているはずだ。
Pattern used: としたところで
～としたところで expresses 'even from his perspective/even for him', indicating he likely feels responsible too.
どんなに急いだとしたところで、定刻に間に合うのは絶望的だ。
Pattern used: だとしたところで
This emphasizes that even if we assume the maximum speed, it's still not enough.
今回の不祥事は、組織としたところで責任を免れることはできない。
Pattern used: としたところで
Indicates that even from the organization's viewpoint, they cannot escape responsibility.
Interactive
彼______、今回の失敗には責任を感じているはずだ。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.