What’s the difference between [v] たとしても and just the plain ても?

Question

What’s the difference between [v] たとしても and just the plain ても? Example: > (1) 説明書を読んでも分かりにくい > (2) 説明書を読んだとしても分かりにくい

Answer 1

Hello!

So the form "たとしても” makes the phrase hypothetical. It's like saying, "Even if I were to...", whereas "ても” states that the action has been completed and expresses, "Even when I (did/do V)".

The particle "と" in this case indicated hypotheticality.

Hope this helped!

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