Structure
Verb + ことはない
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About ことはない
ことはない is an expression that has two primary purposes in Japanese. To convey that there is 'no need for (A)', or that '(A) never happens'. In these cases, (A) is a verb that will appear directly before こと. ことはない is often used to reassure someone that something will not come to pass.
In this expression, the adverbial particle は is working to present (A) as the extent (a regular role of adverbial particles), while the 形容詞 ない negates that extent. This negation is up to interpretation, with the literal meaning simply being 'There is no (A)'.
In this expression, the adverbial particle は is working to present (A) as the extent (a regular role of adverbial particles), while the 形容詞 ない negates that extent. This negation is up to interpretation, with the literal meaning simply being 'There is no (A)'.
- そんなに慌てることはない。まだ時間がいっぱいあるからゆっくりやればいいよ。There is no need to rush that much. We still have a lot of time, so it is okay if you pace yourself.
- 10年前に親と喧嘩をしてから、親と話すことはない。Ever since I fought with my parents 10 years ago, I have not talked to them.
Caution
This structure is very different to たことがない, which presents a single instance of something not having happened. As opposed to the case marking particle が, は presents the verb/verb-phrase as a topic itself in non-past form, highlighting its non-existence. Due to this, ことはない can imply that (A) is unthinkable, or even impossible.- そんなに心配した事が無い。There has never been a time where I worried that much.
- そんなに心配することはないよ。There is no need to worry that much.
Synonyms
わけがない
There is no way, There is no reason, It is impossible, Cannot be
Not studied yet
はずがない
Hardly possible, Cannot be, Highly unlikely, Improbable
Not studied yet
なくてもいい
Don't have to
Not studied yet
すこしも～ない
Not even a little, Not at all, Not in the least, Never
Not studied yet
決して〜ない
Never, By no means
Not studied yet
Antonyms
Examples
これ以上何も言うことはない。
There is no need to say more.
沖縄に住んだら、雪を見ることはない。
If you live in Okinawa, you never see snow.
落とした鍵を見つけたから、もう心配することはない。
Since we found the keys that were dropped, there is no need to worry anymore.
恐れることはない。思い切ってやってみるんだ！
There is no need to be scared. Give it all of your might!
そんな急ぐことはない。ぼちぼちやればいい。
There is no need to hurry. You should take your time.
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Takoboto
Grammar Notes and Breakdown
JLPT 先生
「ことはない vs 次第」詳しく説明
Riki Nihongo Dayo [video]
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Tobira
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ことはない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
ulurujamman
Any particular reason why it’s ことがある for “it happens” and ことはない for "it never happens?
Daru
Just the nature of the Grammar Points. The fact that the translations have this polar-end opposite meaning to them is just a coincidence. If you were to say, ことはある or ことがない, depending on the sentence they could work, but remember that these are Grammar Points for a reason.
Hope this helps!
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