ことなく | Grammar

Structure

[verb (dictionary form)] + ことなく

Description

The grammar structure ことなく means "without doing ~" and is used to express that an action does not occur while something else takes place. It is formed by attaching ことなく to the dictionary form of a verb.

It is similar in meaning to ～ないで or ～ずに, but ことなく carries a more literary and formal tone, making it common in written Japanese, speeches, and formal contexts. It often emphasizes that the action was never done – not even once – throughout the duration of the main event.

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He fought to the end without giving up.

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I kept running without resting even once.

Comparison with ～ないで and ～ずに

All three expressions mean "without doing ~", but they differ in tone and usage:

～ないで – casual and conversational - ～ずに – slightly formal; used in both speech and writing - ～ことなく – the most formal and literary; emphasizes the complete absence of the action

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She smiled without showing any tears.

Compare with the more casual version: なみだ涙をみせないで見せないでほほえんだ微笑んだ.

Common patterns

ことなく frequently appears with time-related expressions like いちど一度も (not even once), さいご最後まで (until the end), and えいえん永遠に (forever), reinforcing the sense that the action was thoroughly avoided or never performed.

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That fact was forgotten without ever being known.

Examples

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He left without looking back even once.

、。

I decided on my own without consulting anyone.

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The rain continued to fall without stopping.

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She began to speak quietly without crying.

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The letter was thrown away without being read.

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You cannot succeed without making an effort.

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I spent the whole day without eating anything.

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He kept fighting until the end without losing hope.

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I returned home safely without worrying my parents.

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That problem remains unresolved to this day.

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Time passes without waiting.

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He continued working with a smile without showing any fatigue.

References

ことなくBunpro