JLPT N2 Grammar – The difference between “〜に相違ない” and “〜に他ならない”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “〜に相違そういない” and “〜に他ほかならない”
2. 〜に相違そういない
3. 〜に他ほかならない
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments

Q: What is the difference between “〜に相違そういない” and “〜に他ほかならない”?

A: Both expressions convey strong conviction or emphasis, but they differ in purpose and nuance.

〜に相違そういない (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
An expression used to emphasize that something is certainly true and without doubt

[Rule]
[V] Verb plain form + に相違そういない
[A] い adjective plain form + に相違そういない
[Na] な adjective + に相違そういない
[Na] な adjective + な + である + に相違そういない
[N] Noun + に相違そういない
[N] Noun + である + に相違そういない

[Examples]
あれは本物ほんもののダイヤモンドに相違そういないでしょう。
That must be a real diamond.

この作品さくひんは彼かれの代表だいひょう作さくに相違そういありません。
This work must be his representative piece.

犯人はんにんは彼かれに相違そういないという見解けんかいです。
The view is that the criminal must be him.

“〜に相違そういない” is a slightly formal expression that has the same meaning as “〜に違ちがいない.”
It is used when the speaker is almost certain about a fact and expresses strong conviction or definite inference.
This phrase is highly polite and literary in tone, often appearing in written language, speeches, or official documents.
In business settings, it frequently appears in the form “相違そういございません,” used to show respectful agreement with another person’s opinion or judgment.

[Examples]
おっしゃることに相違そういございません。
What you said is absolutely correct.

ご説明せつめいの内容ないようは、私わたくしどもの認識にんしきと相違そういございません。
The explanation you gave is fully consistent with our understanding.

契約けいやく内容ないように相違そういございません。
There is no discrepancy in the contract details.

〜に他ほかならない (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
An expression used to emphasize that something is the only possible thing and nothing else

[Rule]
[N] Noun + に他ほかならない

[Examples]
私わたしが今いまこうして成功せいこうしているのは、両親りょうしんのおかげに他ほかありません。
The reason I am successful now is none other than my parents’ support.

この失敗しっぱいの原因げんいんは、彼かれの怠惰たいださに他ほかならない。
The cause of this failure is none other than his laziness.

教育きょういくとは、人ひとを育そだてることに他ほかならない。
Education is nothing other than nurturing people.

彼かれの行動こうどうは、愛情あいじょうの表あらわれに他ほかならないよ。
His actions are nothing but an expression of love.

“〜に他ほかならない” is an expression used in the form “AはB以外いがいの何なにものでもない” to limit and emphasize a cause, reason, or essence.
In other words, it is used when you want to say “that is the only reason (cause, answer, or essence).”
Because it gives a formal and strong impression, it is often used in speeches and written language.

[Examples]
このプロジェクトの成功せいこうは、チーム全員ぜんいんの努力どりょくに他ほかありません。
The success of this project is due solely to the efforts of the entire team.

この賞しょうを受け取う　とれるのは、皆みなさんの支ささえのおかげに他ほかならないです。
Being able to receive this award is none other than thanks to everyone’s support.

この結果けっかは、長年ながねんの研究けんきゅうの積つみ重かさねに他ほかならない。
This result is nothing other than the accumulation of many years of research.

Let’s Compare

Both “〜に相違そういない” and “〜に他ほかならない” express strong conviction, but their focus differs.
The former is used to express judgment or certainty, while the latter is used to emphasize reason or essence.

Let’s compare the following examples:

[Examples]
① あれは本物ほんもののダイヤモンドに相違そういない。
② あれは本物ほんもののダイヤモンドに他ほかならない。

① “〜に相違そういない” expresses a firm conviction such as “That is certainly a real diamond.”
② “〜に他ほかならない” emphasizes the essence, meaning “That itself is the real thing,” carrying a strong, definitive tone that excludes all other possibilities.

Now, let’s look at the following examples:

[Examples]
① このプロジェクトの成功せいこうは、チーム全員ぜんいんの努力どりょくの結果けっかに相違そういない。
② このプロジェクトの成功せいこうは、チーム全員ぜんいんの努力どりょくの結果けっかに他ほかならない。

① “〜に相違そういない” expresses the judgment “This success is surely the result of everyone’s effort,” showing strong certainty.
② “〜に他ほかならない” emphasizes “The only reason for this success is everyone’s effort,” highlighting a single decisive cause.

Even though both use the phrase “the result of effort,”
① focuses on judgment, while ② conveys limitation and emphasis.

In short, “〜に相違そういない” is a logical and objective expression used to state a fact with conviction,
whereas “〜に他ほかならない” expresses the speaker’s emotion or belief, emphasizing the essence of something.
Both are formal expressions, and the appropriate choice depends on the purpose and tone of the sentence.

Summary

Expression	Meaning	Usage
〜に相違そういない	To judge with strong conviction that something is true	Expresses certainty or definite inference
〜に他ほかならない	To emphasize that there is no other possible reason	Emphasizes cause or essential reason

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