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Formation: V-dictionary / V-ない + に越したことはない; い-adj + に越したことはない; な-adj stem / N (+ である) + に越したことはない; それに越したことはない

This pattern says that something is the ideal or obviously preferable option: 'it's best to', 'you can't go wrong with'. It often admits that the ideal isn't strictly necessary or always possible, so it is frequently followed by が and a practical reservation. It is used in conversation and in writing, especially for common-sense advice about things like safety, cost or speed. It differs from 〜に限る, which states the speaker's personal view that X is the best ('nothing beats a cold beer'). 〜に越したことはない sounds more like a general, objective rule. It is also softer than 〜ことだ, which gives direct advice.

Variants: それに越したことはない、〜に越したことはありません、〜に越したことはないが

Examples

• 念のため、早めに予約しておくに越したことはない。
  Just to be safe, it's best to book early.
• 家賃は安いに越したことはないが、駅から遠すぎるのも困る。
  Cheaper rent is obviously better, but being too far from the station is a problem too.
• 話し合いで解決できるなら、それに越したことはない。
  If it can be settled by talking it over, nothing could be better.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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