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Formation: V-ない form + ことには; い-adj → 〜くないことには; な-adj / N + でないことには; usually followed by a negative result

This pattern sets X as an essential precondition: unless X happens first, Y cannot happen or nothing can be decided. The main clause is almost always negative or expresses impossibility: できない, わからない, 始まらない, 話にならない. It is common in conversation and also appears in essays. Compare 〜なくして（は）, which is formal, mostly follows nouns (努力なくして), and states the same idea as a general truth. Compare also 〜ない限り, which states an ongoing condition (as long as X doesn't happen) and allows a wider range of main clauses. Don't confuse it with 〜ことには after emotion words (驚いたことには), which is a different pattern.

Variants: 〜ないことには〜ない

Examples

• 実際に使ってみないことには、良し悪しは判断できない。
  Unless you actually try it, you can't judge whether it's any good.
• 社長の許可がないことには、契約は結べない。
  Without the president's approval, we can't sign the contract.
• 体が丈夫でないことには、この仕事は続けられない。
  Unless you're physically strong, you can't keep doing this job.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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