ないまでも

1. 1Even if not to the extent of X, at least a lesser degree Y is wanted or expected.Ex. 1
2. 2Although it falls short of X, a lesser but still meaningful degree Y has been reached.Ex. 2

A rather formal expression, common in writing and careful speech. The second clause names a lower-level alternative and often contains せめて, 少なくとも or 〜は, as in 週に一度は. Unlike general concessive patterns, it always contrasts a higher degree with a lower one on the same scale.

• せめてN2「せめて」 is an adverb that marks the minimum level in the following clause and does not itself introduce a higher standard; it often works in tandem with 「ないまでも」, and the two can appear in the same sentence. It is neutral in register, typically introduces a wish or request, and is not used for neutral evaluations of degree.
• なりともN1「なりとも」 needs no higher standard to be mentioned first: it attaches directly to minimum-level words such as 「一度」 or 「少し」 and is followed by a wish, request, or volition, not an evaluation. It also has a usage attaching to interrogatives to mean "no matter what/who..."; the two cannot be directly interchanged.
• だけはN2「だけは」 repeats the same verb on both sides (e.g., 「言うだけは言った」), emphasizing that at least this step was achieved while the result is a separate matter; it is neutral in register. 「ないまでも」 settles for second best between a higher and a lower degree and leans toward written style, so the two cannot be interchanged.
• にしてもN2「にしても」 is concessive: it first acknowledges a fact or supposition and then adds a contrary or reserved judgment, with no "settling for less" between higher and lower degrees. It can also be used in the parallel pattern 「AにしてもBにしても」; it is neutral in register and generally not interchangeable with 「ないまでも」.
• としてもN2「としても」 is hypothetical concession: even if the first clause holds, the second clause stays unchanged, and the two clauses are not ranked as higher or lower in degree; it attaches to plain forms and is neutral in register. 「ないまでも」, by contrast, settles for second best, stating a high level first and a lower one after; it attaches to negative forms and leans toward written style, so the two cannot be interchanged.
• ないことはないN3「ないことはない」 is a double negative that gives a grudging, qualified affirmation of a single matter ("it's not that... not..."), often followed by 「が」 or 「けど」. Unlike 「ないまでも」, it does not contrast a higher and a lower degree; it is neutral in register and not interchangeable.

せめて and だけは mark only the minimal target ("at least", "at least this much") and often appear in the second clause of a ないまでも sentence, while なりとも attaches to a small quantity ("even a little"). にしても and としても are general concessives ("even if") with no higher-versus-lower scale, and ないことはない is a double negative giving weak affirmation ("it's not that it can't be done").