JLPT N1 Grammar
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Other than; except for
Category: Addition and Exclusion
The grammar pattern "名詞＋をおいて（ほかに～ない）" is used to emphasize that the specified person or thing is the absolute best or the only one possible. It is often used in negative sentences to convey a sense of uniqueness or superiority. This pattern is particularly useful in situations where you want to express that something or someone is unmatched or unparalleled.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | 名詞＋をおいて（ほかに～ない） | 彼ほかにいない |
| Adjective | 形容詞＋をおいて（ほかに～ない） | この困難な計画を遂行できる人は、彼ほかにいない |
| Noun phrase | 名詞句＋をおいて（ほかに～ない） | 結婚相手は、彼女ほかに考えられない |
この困難な計画を遂行できる人は、彼ほかにいない。
Kono kantannaka no keikaku o tsukimasu dekiru hito wa, kare hoka ni inai.
There is no one else who can carry out this difficult plan.
この困難な計画 (this difficult plan) を遂行できる (can carry out) 人は (person) 彼ほかに (no one else than him) いない (does not exist)
結婚相手は、彼女ほかに考えられない。
Kekkon aite wa, kare hoka ni kangaerarenai.
There is no one else she can consider as her partner.
結婚相手 (partner) は (is) 彼ほかに (no one else than him) 考えられない (cannot be considered)
世界平和への道は、対話ほかにないだろう。
Sekai heiwa e no michi wa, taiwa hoka ni nai darou.
There is no other way to achieve world peace than dialogue.
世界平和 (world peace) への道 (way) は (is) 対話ほかに (no other way than dialogue) ないだろう (will not exist)
この料理は、彼女ほかに作ることができない。
Kono ryouri wa, kare hoka ni tsukurukoto ga dekinai.
There is no one else who can cook this dish.
この料理 (this dish) は (is) 彼ほかに (no one else than him) 作ることができない (cannot be cooked)
この映画は、彼女ほかに見ることができない。
Kono eiga wa, kare hoka ni mirukoto ga dekinai.
There is no one else who can see this movie.
この映画 (this movie) は (is) 彼ほかに (no one else than him) 見ることができない (cannot be seen)
This pattern is typically used in formal or written Japanese. It is often used in situations where you want to express that something or someone is unmatched or unparalleled. Be careful not to confuse it with other exclusion patterns, such as ～を除いて, which simply means 'excluding' or 'except for'.
This pattern is typically used to emphasize that something or someone is unmatched or unparalleled, which is often expressed in a negative sentence.
～を除いて is a simpler exclusion pattern, while 名詞＋をおいて（ほかに～ない） is used to emphasize uniqueness or superiority.
This pattern is used to emphasize uniqueness or superiority, so use it only when you can confidently say that something or someone is the best or only one possible.
In the JLPT N1 exam, you may encounter this pattern in reading comprehension or listening sections. Be careful to identify the correct usage and nuance of this pattern, and make sure to use it correctly in your own writing or speaking.
この困難な計画を遂行できる人は、彼______ほかにいない。
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.