つつ | Grammar

Structure

[verb ます-stem] + つつ [verb ます-stem] + つつも

Description

つつ joins two actions done by the same person at the same time: "while doing". It goes after the ます-stem of a verb, and it is the written counterpart of ながら; the main action comes second.

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I drank coffee while gazing at the scenery.

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We went through the meeting while checking the materials.

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While adopting new technology, they also preserve tradition.

In conversation, use ながら: てれびテレビをみ見ながらたべる食べる.

つつも: "even though"

With も added, つつも means "even though": you do something while knowing or feeling that you shouldn't. The verb in front is usually one of knowing or feeling – しる知る, おもう思う, わかる分かる, かんじる感じる – or one of saying. Plain つつ can carry this meaning too.

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I know it's bad for me, but I keep on smoking.

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I felt bad about it, but I turned them down.

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He says he's busy, yet he plays games every day.

has the same "even though" meaning. The difference is in what comes before: つつも only takes a verb, while ながらも also takes an adjective or a noun (, ). is a separate pattern: a change that is under way. It does not join two actions.

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Society is in the process of changing.

Examples

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I climbed the mountain while enjoying the scenery.

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She waved her hand while smiling.

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We proceeded with the meeting while checking the materials.

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Even though I know it's bad for my health, I end up staying up late.

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Despite knowing I'm on a diet, I ended up eating cake.

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Even though I felt it was wrong, I ended up telling a lie.

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He complained, but he helped me right to the end.

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I made the plan while listening to the people around me.

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While adopting new technology, they also preserve tradition.

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Despite feeling it was dangerous, I moved forward.

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Even though he says he's busy, he plays games every day.

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They exchanged opinions while respecting each other.

References

The Particles つつながらimabi.org
つつBunpro