GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜にもなく
Indicates unexpected behavior or emotion that differs from a person's usual attitude or character.
Examples
彼はいつにもなく緊張し、発表前に何度も原稿を読み返した。
He was unusually nervous and reread his script several times before the presentation.
Words used
彼は今日に限って、いつにもなく口数が少ない。
For some reason today, he is uncharacteristically quiet.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
いつにもなくtakes a person's usual state as the reference point and describes behavior or emotion as noticeably unusual on that occasion. - Basic usage:
彼は今日に限って、いつにもなく口数が少ない。means that he is uncharacteristically quiet today.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Strength of comparison with the usual state
いつもより緊張するcompares the degree of nervousness with the usual level.いつにもなく緊張するadds a sense of nervousness so unusual that it seems out of character.