ようにも〜ない
Says that when one means or tries to do something, some reason or obstacle makes it impossible: "even if I try to..., I can't", "there is no way to...".
Verb (volitional form)The form meaning "let's …" or "I'll …", ending in う／よう; also called the volitional form.
行こう・食べよう・しよう・来（こ）よう
Verb (nai-form)The negative form of a verb, ending in ない.
行かない・食べない・しない・来（こ）ない
Verb masu-stemWhat is left of the masu-form once ます is removed; also called the continuative form (連用形).
行き・食べ・し・来（き）
Verb (volitional form)The form meaning "let's …" or "I'll …", ending in う／よう; also called the volitional form.
行こう・食べよう・しよう・来（こ）よう
Following clauseThe second half of the sentence, following the pattern.
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The volitional form shows that the subject means or tries to do something; the typical second part is the negative potential of the same verb, saying some reason or obstacle prevents it, with a sense of helplessness or frustration. The reason is often stated first: お金がなくて、買おうにも買えない, 緊張して、話しかけようにも話しかけられない. The second part can also be 〜ようがない, or a clause stating the obstacle: 連絡しようにも連絡先がわからない. The point is that an attempt or intention is blocked; the intention can come from need or obligation (仕事で行かなければならないが、大雪で行こうにも行けない).
When the second clause uses the same verb directly as its predicate, use the negative potential: 行こうにも行けない, not 行こうにも行かない; the second part can also be 〜ようがない or a clause stating the obstacle.
If you simply do not want to do something, do not use this pattern; say 〜する気になれない. This pattern is about wanting or needing to do something but being blocked.
- 1.ようがない / ようもないN2「ようがない」 stresses having no way or means (直しようがない) and need not mention wanting to; 「ようにも〜ない」 highlights the frustration of wanting to but being unable, and the two can be combined (直そうにも直しようがない).
- 2.てもN4「ても」 can express something similar: 「行きたくても行けない」 is more colloquial and more common; 「行こうにも行けない」 is slightly more literary and stresses the helplessness of being blocked.
ようにも〜ない means wanting to but being unable for some reason; ようがない focuses on having no way or means, and can be combined with this pattern; with ても, 行きたくても行けない means much the same and is more colloquial.
