〜ても始まらない

Meaning

This grammar pattern expresses a hypothetical adverse condition. It indicates that the action described in the preceding clause is meaningless or pointless. It is equivalent to 「…ても仕方がない」(there is nothing to be done about it) or 「…どうなるものでもない」(it will not change anything).

Formation

Examples

1. A：会議の前に、もっとしっかり資料を確認すればよかった。
   A: I should have reviewed the documents more carefully before the meeting.
   B：今さら後悔しても始まらないよ。今後気をつけましょう。
   B: There is no use regretting it now. Let's be more careful from here on.

2. 文句を言っても始まらないだろう。さっさと片付けよう。
   Complaining will not get us anywhere. Let's just hurry up and clean this up.

3. 今さらそんな事を言っても始まらない。
   It is pointless to say something like that at this stage.

Summary

• 「〜ても始まらない」means "there is no use; it is pointless to"
• Attaches to verbs (て-form)