even while ~ing
even though ~ing
despite ~ing
although ~ing
Structure
- Verb[stem] + つつ(も)
硬
[Used in more formal settings・Mostly used with 知る and 思う]
[Similar to ながら(も), adding も just means that the statement is solely a contradiction]
At the bottom of the details section, it says the following.
Despite the similarities, it will be important to remember that つつ only appears with verbs, while ながら can be used after almost any type of word.
When I further checked, ながら like つつ both only work verbs. I think it’s meant to say ながらも instead of ながら as ながらも is the variant that works with verbs, adjectives and even nouns.
Just needed to confirm if indeed my understanding is correct.