にしても and としても, is there a difference?

Question

にしても and としても...Don't they both have a meaning of "even if"? Is there any subtle difference between these two forms?

Answer 1

Yes! There is a slight difference in how you would use them, though they carry a similar meaning.

When using にしても, the meaning takes on a more active stance, almost insinuating that you chose the object, however on the other hand, としても sounds more passive, meaning you wouldn't necessarily choose the object, but rather the object would "happen" of it's own accord.

Let me give you some examples to further explain. 犬にしても猫にしてもこのマンションはペットを飼ってはいけないことになっている。

Theoretically in that situation, you would be choosing a cat, dog, etc. It's not happenstance, but rather an active decision.

On the other hand

明日雨だとしても、式は行われる

refers to an act of God such as rain. This grammar point is applicable in many situations over which there isn't much control.

Hope that this was of help to you!

Never stop learning~☆