しかも
- 1Moreover, what's more: adds a further point in the same direction as the first, often to strengthen praise or criticism.Ex. 1
- 2And yet, even so: introduces a fact that holds despite the preceding one.
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Neutral in register and common in both speech and writing, typically used when listing merits or faults of a person, thing or situation. It stands as an independent conjunction, either after a full stop or after a clause ending in て/で or a plain-form clause, and the added clause often contains も. Close synonyms include その上 and the more casual おまけに.
Note that in its 'moreover' sense, the added point must push in the same direction as the first, not contrast with it.
Learners sometimes use しかも as a plain 'and' for unrelated items, but it signals an additional, reinforcing point.
Note that after a plain-form clause, しかも often adds a short detail, such as 首席で in 合格した、しかも首席で.
- その上N2「その上」 only adds in the same direction and can replace 「しかも」's additive meaning, but it is more objective and calm with weaker emphasis; it has no contrary usage, so both clauses must be good or both bad. 「その上に」 is also possible, with a slightly stronger tone.
- のみならずN2「のみならず」 usually attaches directly after a word to mean 'not only A but also B', often with 「も」 or 「まで」 in the second clause; at the start of a sentence it is close to 「しかも」's additive meaning but more formal and stiff, with no contrary nuance.
- ばかりかN3「ばかりか」 attaches directly after the first item as 「AばかりかBも」, often with も・まで・さえ in the second clause, and sounds formal; 「しかも」 is a conjunction placed at the start of the following clause, neutral in register, with a contrary nuance. They are interchangeable in the additive sense.
- おまけにN2「おまけに」 is fairly colloquial and often piles on unfavorable situations with a complaining tone, though it can be used for good things too; in additive use it mostly swaps with 「しかも」, but lacks 「しかも」's 'surprisingly even' contrary nuance.
- に加えてN3「に加えて」 attaches after the first item meaning 'in addition to...', is strongly written-style, and only objectively lists additions without 「しかも」's 'what's more' emphasis; 「しかも」's contrary usage cannot be replaced with 「に加えて」.
- 上にN2「上に」 attaches after the preceding clause's predicate (e.g. 「安い上に」), expresses only addition, requires matching positive/negative polarity in both clauses, and should not be followed by commands or requests at the end; 「しかも」 starts the following clause and also has a contrary usage. They are interchangeable in the additive sense.
その上 and おまけに are close conjunction synonyms, and おまけに sounds more casual. 上に, ばかりか, のみならず and に加えて mainly attach directly to the preceding word or clause instead of standing as a separate conjunction, and のみならず is the most formal.
