N2Addition & Inclusion

N + 抜きで / 抜きにして / 抜きでは(～ない)

Q: Is "Using '向けに' instead of '抜きで'" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use '抜きで' to indicate absence or exclusion". 向けに' is used to indicate direction or purpose, while '抜きで' is used to indicate absence or exclusion.

Q: Is "Using 'を除いて' instead of '抜きで'" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use '抜きで' to emphasize absence, use 'を除いて' to emphasize presence". 'を除いて' is used to emphasize the presence of something, while '抜きで' is used to emphasize the absence of something.

Q: Is "Misplacing the negative verb in '抜きでは(～ない)' structures" correct?

No. The correct form is "Place the negative verb after the base form of the verb". The negative verb in '抜きでは(～ない)' structures should be placed after the base form of the verb to indicate the impossibility of the outcome.

Without; leaving out; cutting out...

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "N + 抜きで / 抜きにして / 抜きでは(～ない)" is used to indicate that something is being done or considered without an element that is usually present or expected. It emphasizes the importance or necessity of that element in the context. When used with '～では～ない', it highlights that the result is impossible without that specific element. This pattern is often used to express a contrast or a condition that is not met, making the outcome uncertain or unlikely.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Base form	N + 抜きで	朝食を抜きで学校へ行くのは、体に良くない
Te-form	N + 抜きにして	朝食を抜きにして学校へ行くのは、体に良くない
Base form with negative verb	N + 抜きでは(～ない)	朝食を抜きでは成功することはできない

Examples

Example Sentences

冗談は抜きで真面目に今後の計画を話し合いましょう

Jou-dan wa nuki de shinmei ni konno keikaku o hanashi aigai mashou

Let's discuss the future plans seriously without joking

冗談は (jokes are) / 抜きで (without) / 真面目に (seriously) / 今後の計画を (future plans) / 話し合いましょう (let's discuss)

彼の協力抜きではこのプロジェクトの成功はあり得なかった

Kare no kyoryoku nuki de kono purojekuto no seikou wa aride nakatta

Without his cooperation, the project's success was unlikely

彼の協力 (his cooperation) / 抜きでは (without) / このプロジェクトの成功 (the project's success) / は (is) / あり得なかった (was unlikely)

朝食抜きでは学校へ行くのは、体に良くない

Asa-gohan nuki de gakkou e iku no wa, karada ni yokunai

Going to school without breakfast is not good for the body

朝食 (breakfast) / 抜きでは (without) / 学校へ行く (go to school) / は (is) / 体に良くない (is not good for the body)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to indicate a condition or a situation where something is not included or present. It is often used in formal or written Japanese. The negative verb in '抜きでは(～ない)' structures should be placed after the base form of the verb. This pattern is similar to 'を除いて' (excluding), but '抜きで' and '抜きにして' emphasize the absence of something, while 'を除いて' emphasizes the presence of something.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using '向けに' instead of '抜きで'

Use '抜きで' to indicate absence or exclusion

向けに' is used to indicate direction or purpose, while '抜きで' is used to indicate absence or exclusion.

Using 'を除いて' instead of '抜きで'

Use '抜きで' to emphasize absence, use 'を除いて' to emphasize presence

'を除いて' is used to emphasize the presence of something, while '抜きで' is used to emphasize the absence of something.

Misplacing the negative verb in '抜きでは(～ない)' structures

Place the negative verb after the base form of the verb

The negative verb in '抜きでは(～ない)' structures should be placed after the base form of the verb to indicate the impossibility of the outcome.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often used in reading comprehension questions to test the candidate's ability to understand the context and the meaning of the sentence. Pay attention to the use of '抜きで' and '抜きにして' to indicate absence or exclusion, and 'を除いて' to emphasize presence.

In context