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Formation: V-dictionary + ことなく

This pattern says that something which might have been expected did not happen. It often stresses persistence or determination, as in 休むことなく (without a single break) or 諦めることなく (without giving up). It is written and formal, typical of newspapers, speeches and essays. It sounds too heavy for small everyday omissions like going out without an umbrella, where 〜ないで or 〜ずに is natural. Compare 〜なしに／ことなしに: that often means Y is impossible without X and tends to come with a negative main clause. ことなく simply reports that X did not happen. The form こともなく adds 'not even', as in 誰に相談することもなく (without even consulting anyone) or 振り返ることもなく (without even looking back).

Variants: こともなく

Examples

• 彼は三十年間、一日も休むことなく店を開け続けた。
  For thirty years he kept his shop open without taking a single day off.
• 失敗を恐れることなく、新しい分野に挑戦してほしい。
  I hope you will take on new fields without fearing failure.
• 議論は結論に至ることなく終わった。
  The discussion ended without reaching any conclusion.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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