GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜ようにも〜ない

cannot even if one wants to

Indicates that someone wants to act but cannot because the necessary means or conditions are lacking.

Examples

連絡先が分からず、知らせようにも知らせられない。

I do not know how to contact them, so I cannot let them know even though I want to.

道が分からず、帰ろうにも帰れない。

I do not know the way, so I cannot get home even though I want to.

声が出ず、助けを呼ぼうにも呼べなかった。

I could not get my voice out, so I could not call for help even though I wanted to.

Structure: Follow a verb's volitional form with にも and a negative expression of inability to show that the conditions for acting are missing despite the intent.
Basic usage: 道が分からず、帰ろうにも帰れない。 means that the speaker wants to return but cannot because they do not know the way.

Inflection of the two verbs
- In 知らせようにも知らせられない, the first verb is volitional and the second is negative potential. Put the latter in the past to describe past inability, as in 呼ぼうにも呼べなかった.
Contrast with lack of intention
- 帰るつもりはない means having no intention of returning. 帰ろうにも帰れない contrasts an intention to return with circumstances that prevent it.