How often and where usually is ずとも encountered?

Question

I encountered this sentence in my Anki app:

彼は目が見えずとも素晴らしい演奏をしました。

Although the grammar point is fairly simple, I have never encountered ずとも outside my grammar reviews. I also think that なくても can do the same job.

彼は目が見えなくても素晴らしい演奏をしました。

What is the difference between the two grammar points? How often and where usually is ずとも encountered?

kandyman · Answer

According to this JLPT study site, the two are basically interchangeable in terms of meaning. As for how common they are, I searched for both terms on BCCWJ. なくても had around 10,000 entries whereas ずとも only had around 500. ずとも is somewhat formal sounding and it may only be used in written Japanese or formal styles of language.

Answered by kandyman on November 8, 2021

How often and where usually is ずとも encountered?

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