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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜以外のなにものでもない

    〜以外のなにものでもない

    〜以外のなにものでもない

    This phrase means something is definitely 'X'. It means 'it is only X' or 'it is nothing but X'.

    N1KMT10FormalStandardNominal ConstructionMixedStrong Literary AssertionGrammar

    Noun + 以外のなにものでもないPrimary

    This phrase means something is definitely 'X'. It means 'it is only X' or 'it is nothing but X'.

    彼かれのその行こう為いは、裏うら切ぎり以い外がいのなにものでもなかった。

    That act of his was nothing other than betrayal.

    FormalPastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEmotions & PsychologyFamily & Relationships
    この困こ難んな状んなじょ況うきょうは、我われ々われにとっての試し練れん以い外がいのなにものでもない。

    This difficult situation is, for us, nothing other than a trial.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeWork & CareerEmotions & Psychology
    彼かれが成せい功こうしたのは幸こう運うんなどではなく、彼かれの努ど力りょく以い外がいのなにものでもない。

    The reason he succeeded was not luck or anything of the sort; it was nothing other than his own effort.

    FormalNon PastNegativeSentence EndingEmphaticWork & CareerEmotions & Psychology
    この美うつくしい風ふう景けいは、自し然ぜんが作くり出だした芸げい術じゅつ以い外がいのなにものでもない。

    This beautiful scenery is nothing other than a work of art created by nature.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeNature & EnvironmentArt & Design
    彼かれが示しめしたのは、純じゅん粋すいな好こう奇き心しん以い外がいのなにものでもないということだ。

    What he demonstrated is the fact that it was nothing other than pure curiosity.

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEmotions & Psychology

    Both phrases mean 'it is only X'. But '〜以外のなにものでもない' shows strong feelings. It is more dramatic. '〜に他ならない' is also formal. But it is for facts or clear ideas. For example, calling something 'betrayal' fits the first phrase well.

    Don't use this when you want to talk about a verb or a whole sentence. For example, you can't say "He is silent is nothing other than agreement." You need to say "The fact that he is silent is nothing other than agreement."

    Use this when you want to say something is definitely true. It means there is no other way to see it. It is a very strong way to end a discussion. Do not use it in normal talks.

    Contrasts with(1)

    〜にすぎない

    This means something is 'only' or 'just' what you said. It shows that it is not very important or special.

    More formal alternatives(1)

    〜に他ならない

    This means something is exactly what you say it is. There is no other explanation for it. It is a very sure way to state a conclusion.

    〜だ / 〜だった

    This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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    • 〜に他ならない
    • 〜でなくてなんだろう
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    • 〜といっても過言ではない

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    • 〜にすぎない

    prerequisite

    • 〜だ / 〜だった

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