GRAMMAR DETAIL
ないことには
Indicates that the following judgment or action is impossible unless the preceding condition is met.
Examples
本人の希望を聞かないことには、計画を決められない。
We cannot decide on the plan without first asking what the person wants.
Words used
実物を見ないことには、買うかどうか決められない。
I cannot decide whether to buy it without seeing the actual item.
Words used
詳しい資料を読まないことには、賛否を決められない。
I cannot decide whether I am for or against it without reading the detailed materials.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
ことにはto a verb'sない-form and follow it with an impossibility to establish a prerequisite. - Basic usage:
実物を見ないことには、買うかどうか決められない。says that seeing the actual item is required before deciding whether to buy it.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- What is blocked is the decision, not the purchase
買うかどうか決められないsays the decision whether to buy cannot yet be made. With見ないことには, it requires checking the actual item first, not a definite decision against buying.
- Connecting the negative form
読むconnects as読まないことには, and聞くas聞かないことには. Rather than addingことにはdirectly to the dictionary form,ないmarks the preceding action as unfulfilled.