～に～ない

The pattern ～に～ない (more specifically, Verb[volitional] + にも + Verb[negative]) expresses the frustration of wanting to do something but being unable to, due to circumstances beyond one's control. It conveys a sense of helplessness – "I would like to … but I can't (even if I tried)." The same verb is used in both the volitional and negative positions.

Formation

The pattern is formed by taking a verb, putting it in the volitional form (意向形), adding にも, and then using the potential negative form of the same verb. The verb must be the same in both halves.

• たべる食べる → 食べようにも食べられない (want to eat but can't)
• ねる寝る → 寝ようにも寝られない (want to sleep but can't)
• いく行く → 行こうにも行けない (want to go but can't)
• する → しようにもできない (want to do it but can't)
• ゆう言う → 言おうにも言えない (want to say it but can't)

The negative half typically uses the potential form (〜～られない / 〜～えない) rather than the plain negative, since the meaning is about inability, not mere non-action.

Nuance

This pattern strongly implies that external circumstances or conditions prevent the action, not simply a lack of desire. It carries a tone of frustration, resignation, or helplessness.

Relation to ～たくても～ない

A closely related expression is ～たくても～ない ("even if I want to … I can't"), which has a similar meaning but is slightly less literary. ～ようにも～ない tends to sound more formal or dramatic and is common in written language and narration.