Verb ことなく
~kotonaku
JLPT N2 Formal
Formation
Verb-stem + ことなく
Means 'without doing', 'not doing', or 'without happening'.
When to use
ことなく: without ever doing; written register (休むことなく働いた).
Explanation
The grammar point ことなく is added to the stem of a verb to express that something doesn't happen or isn't done. It can be translated as 'without doing', 'not doing', or 'without happening'. The formation depends on whether it is used with a verb.
Example sentences
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She went home without crying.
Kanojo wa naku koto naku kaette shimaimashita.
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He suddenly left without giving any warning.
Kare wa chūi suru koto naku totsuzen dekaketa.
-
Mr. Yamada quit the company without talking to anyone.
Yamada-san wa dare ni mo hanasu koto naku kaisha o yamemashita.
-
I have been working for 20 years without getting sick.
Nijūnenkan, byōki ni naru koto naku hataraite imasu.
Without X (Cannot Do Without)
- Noun なくして~はないNoun nakushite ~ wa naiN1Expresses 'without ~, there can't be ~'; 'can't do ~…
- Noun なしでは~ないNoun nashi de wa ~naiN1Expresses the necessity of something; 'cannot do without'…
- ~ないで〜naideN3Express 'without doing ~' or 'without ~ing'.
- Verb ないことには Verb ない~nai koto ni wa ~ naiN2Express that something cannot be done without meeting a…
- ~てからでないと〜te kara denai toN2Indicates that something cannot be done before a certain…
- Noun + あっての + NounA atte no BN1Expresses 'B cannot exist without A'; 'B only exists…
- Verb ずとも〜zu tomoN1Means 'Even without doing (X), (Y) can still happen'.
- Verb もしないで~ mo shinai deN1Means 'without even doing'.
- Verbる こと なし にVerb-ru koto nashi niN1Used to express 'without doing something'.
Corpus examples (30)
裁判官はその未決囚の行動に対する嫌悪の念をためらうことなくあからさまにして、できるだけ過酷な刑を下した。
The judge made no bones about his disgust with the accused's actions and handed down the severest sentence possible.
そんな事実にまったく悪びれることなく、千歳は今日も元気に過ごしております。
Without flinching from that fact in the slightest, Chitose is spending today as well in fine spirit.
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Tom never felt comfortable expressing his own opinion.
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It was raining all day long without intermission.
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It rained continuously all day.
ためらうことなく、その陰謀にたいする徹底した対抗処置をとった。
Without a moment's hesitation, they took drastic action against the conspiracy.
その国会議員は陰謀のニュースを発表した。そして、ためらうことなく、その陰謀にたいする徹底した対抗処置をとった。
The Congressman broke the news of conspiracy and made no bones about taking drastic action against it.
それは御子を信じるものが、一人として滅びることなく、永遠の命を持つためである。
That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
-
She cried for hours without ceasing.
この団地から出ることなく、暑い夏を過ごすことが決まっていた。
I had decided to spend the hot summer without leaving the apartment building.
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She snuck out the house without him knowing.
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That octopus returned to the sea without being eaten.
ファーリーファンダムは、トムに他の人がどう思おうと心配することなく自分らしくなれるチャンスをくれたんだ。
The furry fandom has given Tom a window for him to express himself without having to worry what others think of him.
ネイティブスピーカーに一度も師事することなく大学を卒業できた外国語教師がいるなんて、嘆かわしいことだと思う。
I think it's a shame that some foreign language teachers were able to graduate from college without ever having studied with a native speaker.
だが、概ね天皇は世俗権力を追求することなく存続してきたようです。
However, in general, it seems that the Emperors had continued without seeking worldly power.
自転車は都会の環境を破壊することなく資源利用を持続することのできる道具である。
Bicycles are tools for urban sustainability.
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Taking no notice of the people around them, the boys talked loudly to each other.
有能な連邦捜査局員はちゅうちょすることなく、自分の義務を実行する。
An efficient FBI agent does not make any bones about carrying out his duties.
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The police are investigating the cause of the crash around the clock.
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Instead of relying on a pension, he resolved to apply for the job.
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I watched the TV without changing the channel.
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I passed behind him without being noticed.
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He didn't hesitate to tell his wife the truth.
このバナナケースを使うと、バナナを潰すことなく持ち運べます。
By using this banana case, you can transport bananas without squashing them.
それが、私の失敗だってことは自分でもよくわかってるけど、そんなに責めることなくない?
I fully understand that it was my mistake, but do you really need to criticise me so much?