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Formation: N + にほかならない; V-dictionary + こと + にほかならない; plain clause + から／ため + にほかならない

This pattern strongly states that X is exactly Y and nothing else. It is used to define the true nature of something or to name the one real reason, often in the frame 〜のは〜からにほかならない. It is formal and typical of essays, editorials and speeches. Compare 〜にすぎない: it is the opposite in tone, playing something down (merely), while にほかならない stresses that it is exactly so. 〜からこそ also highlights a reason but is more conversational, and 〜をおいて〜ない picks out the one person or thing that fits. The related form ほかならぬ + N means 'none other than'.

Variants: にほかなりません、からにほかならない、ほかならぬ + N

Examples

• 今回の成功は、社員全員の努力の結果にほかならない。
  This success is nothing other than the result of every employee's effort.
• 彼が厳しく叱るのは、君に期待しているからにほかならない。
  He scolds you harshly precisely because he has high hopes for you.
• 歴史を学ぶことは、現在を理解することにほかならない。
  To study history is nothing other than to understand the present.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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