とも～ともつかぬ／ともつかない (tomo-tsukanu): Indistinguishable as; hard to tell whether
～とも～ともつかぬ／ともつかない (tomo-tsukanu)
Meaning
Indistinguishable as; hard to tell whether
Formation and usage
N + とも + N + ともつかない／つかぬ
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
Describes an ambiguous state or sound that cannot be clearly classified, not simple indecision.
Examples
会議の会場から、笑いとも泣き声ともつかない声が聞こえた。
A sound that could have been laughter or crying came from the venue for the meeting.
試験の会場から、笑いとも泣き声ともつかない声が聞こえた。
A sound that could have been laughter or crying came from the venue for the exam.
研修の会場から、笑いとも泣き声ともつかない声が聞こえた。
A sound that could have been laughter or crying came from the venue for the training session.
発表会の会場から、笑いとも泣き声ともつかない声が聞こえた。
A sound that could have been laughter or crying came from the venue for the presentation event.
面接の会場から、笑いとも泣き声ともつかない声が聞こえた。
A sound that could have been laughter or crying came from the venue for the interview.
How related patterns differ
ごとく and かのように compare; んばかりに exaggerates an imminent action. とばかりに infers an unspoken message. ともつかない is hard to classify, ともなく lacks intent or specificity, and 並み matches a standard level.