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From what I can tell they both mean "Because of", and the only differences in meaning I can see seem to be very subtle.

あっての:

とあって:

As far as I can tell, the only difference is that あっての proceeds and follows a noun, while とあって can proceed and follow a sentence. Is there some other difference between these?

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silvermaple
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  • For posterity: since asking this question I've found another tricky one: にあって. Fortunately there is a big difference in meaning for this one; due to, during X time/situation, under the circumstances of _____ – silvermaple Aug 13 '12 at 21:36

1 Answers1

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Firstly, they are grammatically different. With あっての, both A and B have to be noun phrases, and the result is a noun phrase. With とあって, A can be a noun phrase or a clause, and B has to be a clause, the result being a clause.

Secondly, the focus is different. あっての emphasizes that B could not be without A, whereas this connection is weaker with とあって. With とあって, B tends to be the main point which the speaker is trying to get across, and A is added as extra explanation.

dainichi
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