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Formation: V-ない stem + ずにはおかない (する→せずにはおかない); V-ない + ではおかない; often with causative verbs (感動させずにはおかない)

Has two main uses. With a non-human subject such as a film, speech or event, it means the thing will inevitably cause a reaction in people, often with a causative verb: 'it cannot fail to move / make people think'. With a person as subject, it expresses strong determination to do something, such as getting revenge or making someone pay, and sounds dramatic. It is stiff and written, typical of reviews, essays and literature. Compare 〜ないではいられない／ずにはいられない, which is about the speaker's own urge that they cannot resist, while 〜ずにはおかない is about a cause acting on others, or a resolve aimed at someone. 〜ずにはすまない, by contrast, means social circumstances will force you to do something.

Variants: ないではおかない、ずにはおかなかった

Examples

• 彼の演説は、聞く者の心を動かさずにはおかなかった。
  His speech could not fail to move everyone who heard it.
• この映画は、見る人に戦争の悲惨さを考えさせずにはおかない。
  This film inevitably makes viewers reflect on the horrors of war.
• この屈辱は、いつか必ず晴らさずにはおかない。
  I will avenge this humiliation someday, no matter what.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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