〜うにも〜ない: meaning and usage

How to form it

• verb (volitional form)+にも+verb (nai-form)
• verb (volitional form)+にも+noun+が+ない

How it is used

Even if one tries or wants to do A, it can't be done. Often the same verb follows in the negative potential (「行こうにも行けない」), or the obstacle is named (「帰ろうにもバスがない」). Sounds frustrated. 「〜ようがない」 means 'there's no way to'.

Examples

1. 足を怪我して歩こうにも歩けない。

   I hurt my leg, so I can't walk even if I wanted to.

2. 財布を家に忘れたので、昼ご飯を買おうにも買えなかった。

   I'd left my wallet at home, so I wanted to buy lunch but couldn't.

3. 連絡しようにも、彼の電話番号がわからない。

   I'd like to get in touch with him, but I don't know his phone number.