限り and ない限り: conditions that hold and exceptions
Distinguish a result valid while a condition holds from one maintained unless something happens. Explore the logic of ない限り and 限りでは limiting a claim to what has been checked.
While a condition continues to hold
体力が続く限り、この仕事を続けたいです。 means wanting to continue this work as long as one's strength holds out. 限り sets the condition under which the wish applies; it does not say how long that strength will last.
学生である限り、この施設を利用できます。 makes being a student the condition for using this facility. 限り defines eligibility here, not an obligation to use the facility.
Exceptions and the scope of ない限り
雨が降らない限り、試合を行います。 means that the match will take place as long as it does not rain. The following clause can be positive, so do not memorize a rule that ない限り must be followed by a negative.
本人が同意しない限り、写真は公開できません。 means that the photograph cannot be published without the person's consent. Consent is necessary; it does not also establish that consent alone guarantees publication regardless of every other condition.
限りでは limits the scope of knowledge
私が調べた限りでは、この店は日曜日も開いています。 means that as far as the speaker has checked, the shop is open on Sundays too. It does not set a time condition under which the shop opens only while the speaker is investigating.
Check whether 限り follows an ongoing state or an expression of knowledge or verification such as 調べた or 知っている. The scope of a valid condition and the scope of evidence supporting a judgment play different roles in a sentence.
Quick check: Does 連絡がない限り、予定どおり始めます。 mean that a message must arrive before things can begin?
Show the answer and why
No. It says things will begin as scheduled unless there is further contact. What happens if a message arrives depends on its content and the additional context.