ややともすれば

や

と

も

す

れ

ば

Meanings

1

adverb

apt to; liable to; inclined to

usually written using kana alone

Describes a tendency for something (often negative) to happen easily or frequently. Often used with conditional or potential forms.

彼かれはややとも

すれ

ば

感かん

情じょう

的てき

に

なり

がち

だ

。

He is apt to become emotional.

この問もん題だいはややともすれば見み落おとされやすい。

This problem is liable to be overlooked.

Kanji

動move, motion, change

Related words

ともすれば
Similar meaning but slightly less emphatic; ややともすれば adds a nuance of 'somewhat' or 'a little', making the tendency feel more moderate.

Etymology

Compound of やや (somewhat) + ともすれば (even if one does, apt to). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it functions as a fixed adverbial phrase.