を措いて他に〜ない
No...but, Nothing else but, None other than
Structure
(1)に
Explanation
The grammar pattern を措いて is used to single something out as the absolute best or only choice, meaning 'apart from (A)', or 'other than (A)'. This expression is formed by the adverbial particle を followed by the て-form of the う-Verb 措く, which means 'to leave aside'. Therefore, its literal sense is 'if we leave (A) aside...', strongly implying that nothing else can compare or take its place.
を措いて attaches to nouns and noun phrases. It is almost always followed by an expression like 他にない to highlight that 'there is nothing else'.
- この難しい手術ができるのは、田中先生をおいてほかにいない。Dr. Tanaka is the only one who can perform this difficult surgery.
- 最高のラーメンを食べるなら、博多をおいてほかにない。If you want the best ramen, there's no place other than Hakata.
- この仕事を任せられるのは、あなたをおいてほかにいない。You are the only person I can entrust this job to.
を措いて is generally used when the speaker has a high opinion of (A). It carries a strong nuance of praise, indicating that the person or thing mentioned is second to none.
Fun Fact
Since this grammar point is often written in hiragana, it is useful to know that it uses the kanji 措く ('to set aside'), not the more common homophone 置く ('to place'). These are easily mistaken because they are so alike, and are a type of 同訓異字. This term refers to words that share the same native Japanese (kun-yomi) reading and have related meanings. There are many such pairs in Japanese, and learning to distinguish them is a great way to deepen your understanding of kanji.
Examples
この大会で優勝できるのは、あの選手をおいて他にはいないだろう。
When it comes to who can win this tournament, there's probably no one other than that athlete.
高品質なカメラといえば、このメーカーを措いて他にない。
When you talk about high-quality cameras, there's nothing else but this manufacturer.
桜の美しさを楽しむなら、京都をおいて他にはないでしょう。
If you want to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms, there's no place like Kyoto, right?
新しいビジネスを立ち上げるのに、今をおいて他にはないと思う。
I think there's no better time than now to launch a new business.
このプロジェクトのリーダーとして、彼を措いて他にいない。
As the leader for this project, there is no one else but him.
このプログラミングの問題を解決できるのは、山田先輩をおいて他にはいません。
When it comes to someone who can solve this programming problem, there's none other than Yamada-senpai.
Aさん：この町でどこかおいしいラーメン屋さんない？
Bさん：それなら、駅前のあの店をおいて他にはないよ。
A-san: Are there any good ramen shops in this town?
B-san: If that's what you're looking for, there's nothing like that shop in front of the station.
若かった頃は、心から愛せるのは彼女をおいて他にはいないと信じていた。
When I was young, I believed there was no one but her that I could love with all my heart.
こんなに感動させられる映画は、この作品を措いて他にないでしょう。
There is probably no other film but this one that can move you so deeply.
この古い時計を修理できる職人は、鈴木さんをおいて他にはいない。
The only craftsman who can repair this old clock is none other than Mr. Suzuki.
Aさん：一番好きな歌手は誰ですか？
Bさん：歌声で人を感動させられるのは、彼女をおいて他にはいませんね。
A-san: Who is your favorite singer?
B-san: When it comes to moving people with a singing voice, there's no one else but her, is there?
現代社会の問題を解決する道は、この新しい政策を措いて他にないと断言します。
I declare that there is no other way but this new policy to solve the problems of modern society.