can only be; no alternative, only ~ (をおいて〜ない) – Japanese Grammar をおいて〜ない (o oite~nai)

Q: What JLPT level is をおいて〜ない?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use をおいて〜ない in a sentence?

Attach をおいて〜ない to the appropriate verb or noun form. Can only be; no alternative, only ~

Q: Is をおいて〜ない formal or casual Japanese?

をおいて〜ない is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

をおいて〜ない

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

o oite~nai

can only be; no alternative, only ~

といい〜といい to ii~to ii に足る / に足りる ni taru/tariru ても差し支えない temo sashitsukaenai に至る / に至った ni itaru / ni itatta わ wa 敢えて aete もさることながら mo saru koto nagara にして ni shite ようが / ようと you ga / you to んばかりに n bakari ni にとどまらず ni todomarazu にあって ni atte のやら / ものやら /ことやら no yara / mono yara/ koto yara さ sa ことのないように koto no nai you ni 思いをする omoi o suru はそっちのけで /をそっちのけで wa socchinoke de / o socchinoke de でもあり〜でもある demo ari~demo aru すら / ですら sura / de sura に即して ni sokushite といい〜といい to ii~to ii に足る / に足りる ni taru/tariru ても差し支えない temo sashitsukaenai に至る / に至った ni itaru / ni itatta わ wa 敢えて aete もさることながら mo saru koto nagara にして ni shite ようが / ようと you ga / you to んばかりに n bakari ni にとどまらず ni todomarazu にあって ni atte のやら / ものやら /ことやら no yara / mono yara/ koto yara さ sa ことのないように koto no nai you ni 思いをする omoi o suru はそっちのけで /をそっちのけで wa socchinoke de / o socchinoke de でもあり〜でもある demo ari~demo aru すら / ですら sura / de sura に即して ni sokushite

🃏 Flashcard

をおいて〜ない

o oite~nai

Tap to reveal usage

can only be; no alternative, only ~

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading o oite~nai

Post ID 51344

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

can only be; no alternative, only ~

📖 How to use it

Expresses that there is no alternative except the stated person or thing; 'no one/thing but ~'.

Attaches to Attach をおいて to a noun (often a person, organization, or time point). The pattern is followed by a negative clause, typically 〜ない or 〜いない.

This is a formal, emphatic way to say that something is possible only with the noun you name. It's like saying 'apart from ~, there is no...' or 'if not ~, then no one/thing else can.' The noun is usually a specific person, group, or time, and the negative clause completes the idea of exclusivity.

You'll often see it in set phrases like 彼をおいて他にいない (there is no one else but him) or 今をおいて絶好の機会はない (there is no better chance than now). It carries a strong, almost dramatic tone, so it fits speeches, essays, or formal conversations.

Because it's N1 and very literary, you won't hear it in casual chat. If you use it with friends, it might sound like you're quoting a novel or making a joke. Stick to contexts where you want to sound decisive or solemn.

この仕事を任せられるのは、田中さんをおいて他にいない。

Kono shigoto o makaserareru no wa, Tanaka-san o oite hoka ni inai.

There is no one else but Tanaka who can be entrusted with this job.

成功するためには、努力をおいて方法はない。

Seikō suru tame ni wa, doryoku o oite hōhō wa nai.

To succeed, there is no method other than effort.

今をおいて、このチャンスを逃す手はない。

Ima o oite, kono chansu o nogasu te wa nai.

There is no reason to let this chance slip by except now.

Not 〜に限る〜をおいて〜ない stresses that nothing else exists (exclusive). 〜に限る means 'it's best to' (a recommendation). For example, 疲れた時は寝るに限る means 'When tired, sleeping is best.' But 疲れた時は寝るをおいて他にない would sound odd because it claims there is no other option, not just that it's preferable.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

をおいて〜ない

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat をおいて〜ない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using をおいて〜ない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns

← Previous

をもって /をもちまして

by means of; with; on / at / as of (time)

を押して /を押し切って

to overcome (opposition)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern をおいて〜ない mean? ▼

Can only be; no alternative, only ~

What JLPT level is をおいて〜ない? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use をおいて〜ない in a sentence? ▼

Attach をおいて〜ない (o oite~nai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is をおいて〜ない formal or casual Japanese? ▼

をおいて〜ない is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember をおいて〜ない long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.