GRAMMAR DETAIL
ことなしに
Indicates doing something without first taking an action that is necessary or normally expected.
Examples
十分な検証をすることなしに制度を変えてはならない。
The system must not be changed without conducting sufficient verification.
Words used
相談することなしに決めてはいけない。
You must not decide without consulting anyone.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Nominalize an action with
ことand addなしにto describe proceeding without that necessary or expected action. - Basic usage:
相談することなしに決めてはいけない。means that one must not decide without first consulting.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Affirmative form before なしに
相談することなしにnominalizes affirmative相談するand then expresses the absence of that action. The equivalent相談しないでinstead puts the verb in the negative, giving it a different structure.