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〜ことなく

without (ever) doing

Verb dictionary form + ことなく

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ことなく means "without doing", like ずに and ないで, but more formal and emphatic: 彼は休むことなく働き続けた, "he kept working without a single break".

It follows the dictionary form of a verb. It often implies something that might have been expected didn't happen at all: 一度も失敗することなく, "without failing even once"; 迷うことなく, "without a moment's hesitation".

It's typical of writing, speeches and news. In conversation, ずに or ないで is more natural.

A related form, ことなしに, means "without doing (it's impossible)": 努力することなしに、成功はない, "there's no success without effort".

Examples

  • 彼かれは休やすむことなく働はたらき続つづけた。

    He kept working without a single break.

  • 一度いちども失敗しっぱいすることなく、最後さいごまでやり遂とげた。

    I saw it through to the end without failing even once.

  • 迷まようことなく、この道みちを選えらんだ。

    I chose this path without hesitation.

  • 雨あめの日ひも休やすむことなく、毎日走まいにちはしっている。

    I run every day without fail, even when it rains.

  • 誰だれにも知しられることなく、町まちを出でた。

    I left town without anyone knowing.

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