Differences between とはいえ, にもかかわらず and ものの


This sentence, found in a short story:

> 暗闇に紛れて慎重に行動している **とはいえ** 、やはり逮捕されるのは心配だった

made me wonder about the differences between 「とはいえ」 and 「にもかかわらず」: both are
translated, in grammars, as "despite, although", so I was wondering what would
be different in writing:

> 暗闇に紛れて慎重に行動している **にもかかわらず** 、やはり逮捕されるのは心配だった

I found [this](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/22912/difference-
between-%E3%81%AB%E3%81%8B%E3%81%8B%E3%82%8F%E3%82%89%E3%81%9A-and-%E3%81%AB%E3%82%82%E3%81%8B%E3%81%8B%E3%82%8F%E3%82%89%E3%81%9A)
answer, and I was wondering if 「にもかかわらず」 points to something that actually
happened, while 「とはいえ」 doesn't, but I was unable to find anything to confirm
or deny this; also, I found that the former is linked to negative outcomes,
and I'm not sure if the latter has such implications. I found
[this](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/3949/what-exactly-
does-%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%E3%81%84%E3%81%88-mean) about 「とはいえ」, which is useful
for that specific form, but not so much for how it differs from others.

I was also wondering about 「ものの」:

> 暗闇に紛れて慎重に行動している **ものの** 、やはり逮捕されるのは心配だった

but I didn't really find anything; would it be very different as meaning, if
it's right at all?

I have this example sentence:

> 日本語の勉強を三年した **ものの** 、新聞を読めない

which gives a negative outcome despite a precedent event; this seems to fit in
the "Although [fact], [something negative]", so I was wondering if:

> 日本語の勉強を三年した **にもかかわらず** 、新聞を読めない

would be acceptable.




Although I(Native Japanese) don't feel discomfort for above all usage, I find
a explanation in grammar for them.

GroupA ：Reverse Connection

「～ながら（も）」「～にもかかわらず」「～ものの」「～にかかわらず」indicates a connection where the preamble
and the postamble are in an opposite relationship, or where the expected
result from the preamble does not appear in the postamble.

GroupB： Partially Restate

「～といっても」「～とはいえ」「～からといって」are expressions in which the speaker restates parts of
the previous sentence.

About each words;

The word "～にもかかわらず" expresses a situation that differs from the prediction
from the previous sentence in the second sentence. There is no blame or
criticism involved. Usually it is simply an objective way of indicating an
adversarial relationship, but sometimes the speaker's feelings can be included
with the focus particle "～も" .

The word "～ものの" is used to refer to a matter or situation that is contrary to
or incompatible with the statement made in the previous sentence, while at the
same time acknowledging it. In such cases, the second sentence is often used
to express remorse or regret for what was said in the first sentence while
acknowledging it.

The word "とはいえ" is a partial restatement of the matter mentioned in the
preamble, adding in the post-sentence, "That's true, but it's not actually
enough." Often, expressions with negative connotations come in the second
sentence, including "～ない".

If you can read, this Japanese page has more information.
<https://www.jpf.go.jp/j/project/japanese/teach/tsushin/grammar/201703.html>




Although I(Native Japanese) don't feel discomfort for above all usage, I find
a explanation in grammar for them.

GroupA ：Reverse Connection

「～ながら（も）」「～にもかかわらず」「～ものの」「～にかかわらず」indicates a connection where the preamble
and the postamble are in an opposite relationship, or where the expected
result from the preamble does not appear in the postamble.

GroupB： Partially Restate

「～といっても」「～とはいえ」「～からといって」are expressions in which the speaker restates parts of
the previous sentence.

About each words;

The word "～にもかかわらず" expresses a situation that differs from the prediction
from the previous sentence in the second sentence. There is no blame or
criticism involved. Usually it is simply an objective way of indicating an
adversarial relationship, but sometimes the speaker's feelings can be included
with the focus particle "～も" .

The word "～ものの" is used to refer to a matter or situation that is contrary to
or incompatible with the statement made in the previous sentence, while at the
same time acknowledging it. In such cases, the second sentence is often used
to express remorse or regret for what was said in the first sentence while
acknowledging it.

The word "とはいえ" is a partial restatement of the matter mentioned in the
preamble, adding in the post-sentence, "That's true, but it's not actually
enough." Often, expressions with negative connotations come in the second
sentence, including "～ない".

If you can read, this Japanese page has more information.
<https://www.jpf.go.jp/j/project/japanese/teach/tsushin/grammar/201703.html>

