JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
Nothing but; precisely; definitely that and nothing else
Category: Judgment & Opinion
The grammar pattern "N + にほかならない (or N + であるからにほかならない)" is used to emphasize that there is only one reason or explanation for something. It is a formal and assertive expression that conveys a sense of certainty or inevitability. The pattern is often used in formal writing or speech to stress the uniqueness of a particular reason or explanation.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun or clause | N + にほかならない | 彼の成功は、努力の結果にほかならない |
| Noun or clause | N + であるからにほかならない | 彼が成功したのは、努力の結果であるからにほかならない |
| Noun or clause | N + であるからにほかならない (with の) | 彼の成功は、努力の結果であるからにほかならない |
彼が成功したのは、本人の努力の結果にほかならない。
Kare ga seikou shita no wa, honteki no doryoku no ketsudan ni hoka naranai.
It was only his own effort that led to his success.
彼が成功したのは (It was only his success that) + 本人の努力の結果 (his own effort's result) + にほかならない (that and nothing else)
親が子供を叱るのは、愛情があるからにほかならない。
Oya ga ko o seikaru no wa, aijou ga aru kara ni hoka naranai.
It is only because parents love their children that they scold them.
親が子供を叱るのは (It is only because parents scold their children that) + 愛情があるから (because they love them) + にほかならない (that and nothing else)
今回の失敗の原因は、準備不足にほかならない。
Konkai no shippai no genin wa, junbi fukaku ni hoka naranai.
The reason for this failure is only the lack of preparation.
今回の失敗の原因は (The reason for this failure is) + 準備不足に (only the lack of preparation) + ほかならない (that and nothing else)
This pattern is used in formal writing or speech to stress the uniqueness of a particular reason or explanation. It is often used in situations where there is only one possible explanation for something. The pattern can be used with both nouns and clauses. Note that the pattern is often used with the particle の, but it can also be used without it.
～にすぎない is used to indicate that something is merely or nothing more than something else, whereas にほかならない is used to indicate that something is the only reason or explanation for something.
The particle と is used to indicate a contrast or a comparison, whereas the particle に is used to indicate a reason or an explanation.
The pattern にほかならない is often used with nouns or clauses that are introduced by の or から, but it can also be used with plain verbs if they are used to introduce a reason or an explanation.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct particle (の or から) and to emphasize the uniqueness of the reason or explanation. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with ～にすぎない or ～しかない.
彼が成功したのは、本人の努力の結果______。
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