こそすれ～ない (koso-sure-nai): May well ... but never
～こそすれ～ない (koso-sure-nai)
Meaning
May well ... but never
Formation and usage
V stem + こそすれ + negative
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Emphasizes one possible direction while denying the opposite; formal.
Examples
会議の準備は、進みこそすれ、後戻りはしない。
Preparations for the meeting will move forward, not backward.
試験の準備は、進みこそすれ、後戻りはしない。
Preparations for the exam will move forward, not backward.
研修の準備は、進みこそすれ、後戻りはしない。
Preparations for the training session will move forward, not backward.
発表会の準備は、進みこそすれ、後戻りはしない。
Preparations for the presentation event will move forward, not backward.
面接の準備は、進みこそすれ、後戻りはしない。
Preparations for the interview will move forward, not backward.
How related patterns differ
ながらに and かれ～かれ commonly occur in fixed combinations, not free attachments. こそすれ emphasizes one direction and denies the opposite. を込めて puts feeling into an action; であれ keeps a conclusion regardless of a condition.