事無く
Without ~ing
Structure
Explanation
Similar to ないで ('without'), ことなく is a grammatical structure attached to verbs to express that (B) occurs 'without (A)' happening. However, ことなく is reserved for more formal writing and speech, and it often carries a sense of contrast between action (A) and outcome (B). This contrast typically appears in two distinct ways, which will be explained below.
ことなく is formed by combining the nominalizer こと with なく, the adverbial form of the negative ない. It always follows the dictionary form of a verb.
The first type of contrast using ことなく is when (A) is an undesirable event, and (B) is a positive result that was achieved by avoiding (A) or as a precaution against it.
- チームは一度も休むことなく、プロジェクトを期限内に終えた。The team finished the project on time without taking a single break.
- 彼は一問も間違えることなく、試験に合格したそうです。I heard he passed the exam without getting a single question wrong.
The second use of ことなく emphasizes when (A) is something that was expected or hoped for, but (B) took place without (A) ever happening. In this context, (A) often represents an unfulfilled desire or expectation.
- その問題は解決されることなく、長年放置されている。That problem has been neglected for years without being solved.
- 彼女は誰にも別れを告げることなく、故郷に帰ってしまった。She returned to her hometown without saying goodbye to anyone.
Examples
彼は一日も休むことなく働き続けた。
He continued to work without taking a single day off.
最後まで諦めることなくゴールすることができた。
I was able to reach the goal without giving up until the very end.
助けてもらったのに、お礼を言うことなく別れてしまった。
Even though they helped me, we parted ways without me saying thank you.
電車は長く待つことなくすぐに来た。
The train came right away without me having to wait long.
このレシピなら、失敗することなく美味しいケーキが作れるから安心だよ。
With this recipe, you can make a delicious cake without failing, so don't worry.
予約することなく入れるレストランを探しています。
I'm looking for a restaurant that I can enter without making a reservation.
誰にも知られることなく、その画家は一生を終えた。
That artist finished their life without ever being known by anyone.
練習することなく試合に出ても、勝てるわけがない。
Even if you compete in the match without practicing, there's no way you can win.
彼は振り返ることなく去っていった。
He left without looking back.
スマートフォンのアプリのおかげで、迷うことなく目的地に着けました。
Thanks to the app on my smartphone, I was able to get to my destination without getting lost.
本当の気持ちを伝えることなく、卒業式が終わってしまった。
The graduation ceremony ended without me ever conveying my true feelings.
この図書館では、許可を得ることなく本をコピーしてはいけません。
In this library, you must not copy books without getting permission.