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Formation: V-dictionary + ことはない; polite: V-dictionary + ことはありません

Says that an action is unnecessary. It is often used to reassure or advise someone that they don't need to worry, apologise or go to trouble. It is common in conversation and also appears in neutral writing. Don't confuse it with V-た + ことはない, which means 'have never done'; the meaning depends on the verb form. Compared with 〜までもない, which says something is too obvious or minor to be worth doing, and the more formal 〜には及ばない, 〜ことはない is the everyday, personal way to say 'you don't have to'. It is also different from 〜ないことはない, a double negative meaning 'it's not that one can't'.

Variants: ことはありません、こともない、ことはなかった

Examples

• そんなに心配することはないよ。すぐに慣れるから。
  There's no need to worry so much. You'll get used to it soon.
• わざわざ空港まで迎えに来ることはありません。
  There's no need to come all the way to the airport to pick me up.
• 一度失敗したからといって、諦めることはない。
  Failing once is no reason to give up.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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