JLPT N1 grammar

〜こそすれmeaning and usage

Meaning

Certainly A, but by no means B (strong emphasis)

How to form it

  • verb (masu-stem)こそすれverb (nai-form)
  • nounこそすれverb (nai-form)

How it is used

Written: 'A, if anything, but never B', where B is the opposite of A and is denied (「増えこそすれ、減ることはない」). It follows a masu-stem or a する-noun such as 「感謝」 or 「同情」.

Examples

  1. 私は犯人に同情こそすれ、共感はできません。

    I sympathize with the criminal, but I absolutely cannot empathize with them.

  2. この町の人気は高まりこそすれ、衰えることはないだろう。

    This town's popularity will only grow; it is unlikely ever to fade.

  3. 先生には感謝こそすれ、恨む気持ちはまったくない。

    If anything, I'm grateful to my teacher; I bear no grudge at all.