GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜ないまでも

even if not quite · while not

Concedes that something falls short of an ideal level while affirming that a lesser degree still holds.

Examples

完璧とは言えないまでも、十分に実用的な案だ。

While it cannot be called perfect, it is a sufficiently practical proposal.

全員ではないまでも、多くの人が賛成した。

While not everyone agreed, many people did.

Structure: までも follows a negative expression ending in ない to concede that a high standard is not met while allowing a lesser degree.
Basic usage: 全員ではないまでも、多くの人が賛成した。 acknowledges broad support even though agreement falls short of including everyone.

A higher standard and the level still sought
- 毎日は会えないまでも、週に一度は会いたい seeks a weekly meeting instead of the higher frequency of every day. The focus is on linking two levels of degree rather than contrasting unrelated facts.
Negating a noun standard
- A noun standard takes ではない, as in 全員ではないまでも. 完璧とは言えないまでも instead uses a negative verbal expression about whether something can be called perfect.