GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜を抜きにしては
Indicates that the following activity or state cannot exist if the preceding element is excluded.
Examples
信頼関係を抜きにしては、この仕事は成り立たない。
This work cannot succeed without a relationship of trust.
Words used
経験を抜きにしては、この判断はできない。
This judgment cannot be made without experience.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: After a noun,
を抜きにしてはsets the condition of excluding that element; a following negative establishes that it is needed. - Basic usage:
信頼関係を抜きにしては、この仕事は成り立たない。says that this work cannot function without a relationship of trust.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Necessity established by the negative
経験を抜きにしては判断できないsays that judgment cannot be made without experience. It does not make experience a sufficient guarantee of a correct judgment.
- Unlike simply doing without something
冗談を抜きにして話すdescribes speaking without jokes.冗談を抜きにしては話せないinstead makes jokes necessary for speaking, changing the excluded element's role.