疑問詞 + も

(疑問詞も・ぎもんしも) every; all; none ; any etc.

1. Overview

The structure 「疑問詞 + も」 is used in Japanese to express either a comprehensive affirmation or a comprehensive negation, depending on whether the sentence is affirmative or negative. Interrogative words include 誰 (who), 何 (what), どこ (where), and いつ (when). This structure can mean "every," "all," or "none" depending on the context.

• Meaning: Indicates "every" or "all" in affirmative sentences, and "none" or "any" in negative sentences.

2. Structure

• Grammar Structure:

  • Interrogative + も + Affirmative/Negative Sentence
    • Affirmative: Expresses "every" or "all"
    • Negative: Expresses "none" or "any"

• Explanation:

  • When combined with an interrogative, も expresses "all" or "every" in affirmative sentences and "none" or "any" in negative sentences.

3. Usage Explanation

• In Affirmative Sentences:

  • In affirmative sentences, 疑問詞 + も means "every" or "all":
    • 誰も (だれも): everyone
    • 何も (なにも): everything
    • どこも: everywhere
    • いつも: always

• In Negative Sentences:

  • In negative sentences, 疑問詞 + も means "none" or "not any":
    • 誰も (だれも): no one
    • 何も (なにも): nothing
    • どこも: nowhere
    • いつも: never

• Politeness:

  • This structure can be used in both formal and informal contexts, with politeness conveyed through the verb form used in the sentence.

4. Key Points

• Complete Affirmation or Negation:

  • The meaning depends on whether the sentence is affirmative or negative, so understanding the context of the sentence is crucial.

• 「も」 vs Other Particles:

  • Unlike particles such as が or は, も emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the affirmation or negation.

5. Example Sentences

1. 誰もがその映画を見た。
   Everyone watched that movie.

2. 何もいらない。
   I don't need anything.

3. いつもここで待っています。
   I'm always waiting here.

4. 彼はどこも行きたくないと言った。
   He said he doesn’t want to go anywhere.

5. 誰も来なかった。
   No one came.

6. Similar Grammar

• 疑問詞 + か: Used to express uncertainty, meaning "some..." or "something."
  • For example: 誰か (someone), 何か (something), どこか (somewhere).

7. Summary

The structure 「疑問詞 + も」 is used to express either a complete affirmation or negation. Depending on whether the sentence is affirmative or negative, it conveys "all" or "none." It’s a versatile structure in daily conversations, and understanding the context is key to its correct usage.