Grammar
N2 connective

Even if or whether 〜にしても / 〜にしろ / 〜にせよ

Meaning

"Even if ~"; paired, "whether A or B".

Formation

Notes

The three endings are interchangeable, with にしろ and にせよ stiffer and mainly written. Used in pairs — A にしろ B にしろ — it means the same conclusion holds either way.

Examples

Even if you do take part, preparation is needed.

Breakdown
take part even if preparation is necessary

Even as a joke, that goes too far.

Breakdown
joke even as saying too much I think it is

Whether you agree or object, please give your reasons.

Breakdown
agree whether object reason please say

Busy or not, you could at least get in touch.

Breakdown
busy even if contact at least ought to be able to

Rain or snow, I am not going out tomorrow.

Breakdown
rain whether snow tomorrow will not go out

⚠️ Often confused with

Even supposing 〜としても

"Even if ~", "even supposing ~" — the outcome would not change.

No matter what one does 〜ところで

"Even if ~", "no matter how much ~" — the effort will come to nothing.

Whether it be 〜であれ / 〜であろうと

"Whether it is ~", "even if it is ~" — the result holds in every case.

No matter how 〜(よ)うが / 〜(よ)うと

"No matter how/what ~", "whether ~ or not" — the main clause is unaffected.