日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

～ことなく

~ koto naku

without doing

When to use it

Use ～ことなく in formal writing and prepared speech to mean "without (ever) doing X" — the more literary equivalent of ～ないで／～ずに. It suits reports, contracts, email and presentations where you want to stress that an expected interruption, change or compromise never occurred. In casual conversation ～ないで is far more natural.

Formation

  • Verbs: dictionary (plain non-past) form + ことなく — 遅れる → 遅れることなく, 変更される → 変更されることなく
  • Negative, past or polite forms do not attach: ✗ 遅れないことなく, ✗ 遅れたことなく
  • i-adjectives / na-adjectives / nouns: not used. Use ～くなく／～ではなく or a verb paraphrase instead (例:「不満なく」→「不満を述べることなく」)
  • Often pairs with 一度も, 最後まで, 一切 for emphasis; the following clause typically states a positive outcome
  • Compare ～ことなしに（に is stiffer, often "unless / without first doing"）and ～ずに（shorter, still formal）

Examples

  • We were able to deliver without pushing back the deadline.

  • The meeting concluded without a single interruption.

  • I'd like us to discuss this without being bound by precedent.

  • The terms were renewed without being altered.

  • The other side negotiated without conceding to the very end.