Friday, April 21, 2017

grammar - The reason for using 何も+negative, but 何でも+positive


In one of the Japanese classes I attended, I've been taught that while we use 「何も出来ない」to say "He cannot do anything", to say "He can do anything" we use 「何でも出来る」 instead of 「何も出来る」.


Why is there a grammar rule that says 「何も」 is used before negative predicate while 「何でも」 is used before positive predicate? Why do we need additional で particle for the positive predicate?



Is the rule still being followed, and are there any exceptions (something like exceptions to the 全然+negative rule)?



Answer



Rather than memorizing edge cases like this one, I think the key here lies in understanding the difference between も and でも in this context.


In positive statements using , the grouping is explicit. In other words, when you say 何も, だれも, どれも, and so on, it's clear through context or prior statements what "every" includes:



ピアノ、ギター、ドラム…彼はどれ{○も/×でも}上手に弾ける。 Piano, guitar, drums…he can play all of them well.


友だちはだれ{○も/×でも}DSを持っている。 All my friends have a DS.


私がお店に入ったとき、彼女はいつ{○も/△でも}いる。 When I enter the store, she's always there.



In negative statements using , you don't have to worry about qualifying the scope of the statement, so 何もできない and だれもいない are sufficient.



With でも, however, the grouping can be left unstated:



こんな簡単な問題はだれ{△も/○でも}解けるよ。 Anyone can solve a simple problem like this.


これで本をいつ{×も/○でも}読める。 With this I can read a book at any time.


娘は好き嫌いが全然なくて、何{×も/○でも}食べてくれる。 My daughter isn't picky at all, and she'll eat anything.



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