てからでないと | Grammar

Structure

[verb て-form] + からでないと [verb て-form] + からでなければ [verb て-form] + からじゃないと

Description

てからでないと means "not unless you ~ first". It goes after the て-form of a verb, and the second half says what can't happen, or shouldn't, until that first step is done.

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I can't decide unless I look into it thoroughly first.

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You can't use this machine unless you read the manual first.

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You won't understand how hard it is until you actually try it.

The verb is in the て-form, as with てから: ×調べるからでないと.

The second half is negative

What follows is something impossible, forbidden or risky: できない, わからない, てはいけない, あぶない危ない. For a plain sequence with a positive second half, てから on its own is enough.

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You mustn't eat until you've washed your hands.

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Let's wash our hands and then eat.

× 手を洗ってからでないと、ご飯を食べます → 手を洗ってから、ご飯を食べます

Register

でないと is neutral. てからでなければ is more formal and turns up in writing and in rules; てからじゃないと is what you hear in conversation.

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You cannot sit the exam unless you have submitted the application form first.

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You can't get in unless you make a reservation first.

Examples

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You can't use this machine unless you read the manual first.

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You can't go out to play unless you finish your homework first.

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I can't decide unless I consult my parents first.

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I can't believe it unless I see it with my own eyes first.

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You cannot start working unless you sign the contract first.

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You must not eat unless you wash your hands first.

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You can't play in the match unless you practice properly first.

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The meeting won't start unless everyone is here first.

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We won't know if it's correct unless we confirm with the person first.

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You can't proceed to the next step unless you submit this document first.

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We can't reach a conclusion unless we discuss it properly first.

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We probably won't understand the situation unless we go there first.

References

てからでないとBunpro