JLPT N1 Grammar – The difference between “〜なくして” and “〜なしに”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “〜なくして” and ”〜なしに”
2. AなくしてB
3. AなしにB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments

Q: How do you distinguish between “〜なくして” and “〜なしに”?

A: Both expressions include the meaning of “without A,” but they are used to express different things.

“〜なくして（は）” strongly emphasizes that A is an essential condition for achieving B — in other words, “B cannot be realized without A.”

On the other hand, “〜なしに” describes a state or situation in which A is absent, or something is done without doing A.

Let’s look at each expression in more detail.

Aなくして(は) B (JLPT N1)

[Meaning]
If A does not exist, B cannot be realized
A is essential in order for B to be achieved

[Rule]　
[N] Noun + なくして（は）
* It can also be used with verbs in the form “〜ことなくして（は）”.

[Key Points]
・Expresses a strong necessary condition: “Without A, B cannot be achieved.”
・Used when the speaker wants to strongly emphasize that “A is absolutely necessary” or “B would be impossible without A.”
・A somewhat formal expression, used more often in writing, speeches, critiques, and similar contexts than in everyday conversation.

[Examples]
努力どりょくなくして成功せいこうできないだろう。
Without effort, success is impossible.
⇒ This means that effort is absolutely essential for success.

周囲しゅういの協力きょうりょくなくしては、このプロジェクトを成功せいこうさせることはできませんでした。

Without the cooperation of those around us, this project could not have succeeded.
⇒ This means that the cooperation of those around us was essential to the success of the project.

信頼しんらいなくして、いい人間にんげん関係かんけいを築きずくことはできません。

Without trust, it is impossible to build good relationships.
⇒ This emphasizes that trust is essential for building good relationships.

AなしにB (JLPT N1)

[Meaning]
To do B in a state where A is absent
To do B without doing A

[Rule]
N] Noun + なしに
[V] Dictionary form + ことなしに

[Key Points]
・Expresses a situation in which B is done “without A” or “without doing A when A would normally be expected.”
・Unlike “〜なくして,” it does not strongly emphasize that A is absolutely necessary for B. The focus is instead on the fact that B takes place in a situation where A is absent or A is not done.
・A negative expression often follows, but the sentence does not always have to be negative.

[Examples]
許可きょかなしに、この建物たてものに入はいることはできません。

You cannot enter this building without permission.
⇒ This means that you cannot enter the building if you have not obtained permission.

本人ほんにんの同意どういなしに、個人こじん情報じょうほうを第だい三さん者しゃに提供ていきょうしてはいけません。

Personal information must not be provided to a third party without the person’s consent.
⇒ This refers to providing the information without first obtaining the person’s consent.

休憩きゅうけいなしに3時間じかん練習れんしゅうし続つづけました。

I practiced for three hours without a break.
⇒ This means, “I practiced for three hours without taking a break.”

Let’s Compare

The key point of “〜なくして（は）” is the relationship that A is essential for B.
The key point of “〜なしに” is the state of doing B without A.

Let’s look at some examples.

[Examples]
みんなの協力きょうりょくなくして、このイベントの成功せいこうはあり得えませんでした。
Without everyone’s cooperation, the success of this event would not have been possible.
⇒ This emphasizes that everyone’s cooperation was essential to the success of the event.

みんなの協力きょうりょくなしに、このイベントを成功せいこうさせることはできませんでした。
We could not have made this event a success without everyone’s cooperation.
⇒ This means that we could not have made the event a success in a situation where everyone’s cooperation was absent.

Let’s look at one more example.

[Examples]
十分じゅうぶんな準備じゅんびなくして、大おおきな大会たいかいで結果けっかを出だすことはできません。
Without sufficient preparation, it is impossible to achieve good results in a major competition.
⇒ This emphasizes that sufficient preparation is essential in order to achieve good results in a major competition.

十分じゅうぶんな準備じゅんびなしに、大おおきな大会たいかいに出場しゅつじょうするのは不安ふあんです。
I would feel uneasy about competing in a major competition without sufficient preparation.
⇒ This describes the situation of competing in a major competition without being sufficiently prepared.

Even when the same noun is used, “なくして（は）” emphasizes that A is an essential condition for achieving B, while “なしに” focuses on doing B in a situation where A is absent.

Summary

[〜なくして（は）]

• It means “if A does not exist, B cannot be achieved.”
• It emphasizes that A is an essential condition for B.
• It is often followed by negative expressions such as “〜ない,” “〜できない,” and “あり得えない.”
• It is a relatively formal expression and is often used in writing and speeches.

[〜なしに]

• It means “in a state where A is absent” or “without doing A.”
• It describes B being done or taking place without A.
• It can be followed by both negative and affirmative expressions.
• It does not emphasize A as a necessary condition as strongly as “〜なくして（は）.”

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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