ようとしたところで
“Even if one tries to … (it is useless / it will not work)” → Used to express that attempting an action is meaningless, because the result will not change or will fail anyway.
N1
Meaning
“Even if one tries to … (it is useless / it will not work)” → Used to express that attempting an action is meaningless, because the result will not change or will fail anyway.
Formation
Verb (volitional form) + としたところで
Explanation
ようとしたところで is used when the speaker judges that:
even trying to do something
even making the effort or attempt
will not lead to a useful or successful result.
The focus is not on the action itself, but on the futility of the attempt.
Compared to たところで:
たところで → the action is (or would be) done
ようとしたところで → the attempt itself is pointless
This grammar is logical and unemotional, and is often used in:
arguments
explanations
formal writing
JLPT N1 reading passages
💡 Core nuance:
“Even if you try, it won’t change anything.”