JLPT N1 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 17: ~たら~たで・~にして・~あっての (If... then... / Precisely at... / Only possible with...)

~たら~たで・~にして・~あっての (If... then... / Precisely at... / Only possible with...)

JLPT N1
Shinkanzen N1 • 6 key grammar patterns
Point 1N1_L17_G1

1. ~たりとも...ない

Sentence Pattern
1 + unit word (day, person, yen...) + たりとも...ない
Meaning: Not even one (unit) / Absolutely not

Explanation: Gives the smallest possible unit as an example to strongly emphasize total negation: 'not even the smallest one.'
✓ Often used with minimum units such as 1日 (one day), 1円 (one yen), 一瞬 (one moment), and 何人 (anyone). It is not normally used with large units such as years or tons.

Example Sentences (2)
試合中しあいちゅうは一瞬いっしゅんたりとも気きを抜ぬいてはいけない。
During a match, you must not let your guard down even for a single moment.
彼かれは節約家せつやくかで、1円えんたりとも無駄遣むだづかいしない。
He is very frugal and does not waste even a single yen.
Point 2N1_L17_G2

2. ~すら / ~ですら

Sentence Pattern
Noun N (+ particle) + すら
* It can also be used in the form ですら
Meaning: Even... / Even as much as...

Explanation: Presents an extreme example to convey: 'if even this extreme or basic case is so, then naturally the others are as well.'

Example Sentences (2)
忙いそがしすぎて、食事しょくじをとる時間じかんすらありません。
I am so busy that I do not even have time to eat.
こんな簡単かんたんな漢字かんじすら書かけないなんて、恥はずかしい。
It is embarrassing not to be able to write even such a simple kanji.
Point 3N1_L17_G3

3. ~だに / ~だにしない

Sentence Pattern
Noun N (+ particle) / Vる + だに
Meaning: The mere thought of... is enough to... / Not even...

Explanation: Expresses that merely being in a light state such as imagining, thinking, or hearing already produces an extremely strong emotion such as fear or horror. In the negative, it means 'not even once thought of it.'
✓ Commonly limited to words such as 想像する, 考える, 聞く, and 夢にだに思わない.

Example Sentences (2)
あの優やさしい彼かれが犯罪はんざいを犯おかすなんて、想像そうぞうするだに恐おそろしい。
The thought of such a gentle person committing a crime is terrifying in itself.
宝たからくじで1億おく円当えんあたるなんて、夢ゆめにだに思おもわなかった。
I never dreamed that I would win 100 million yen in the lottery.
Point 4N1_L17_G4

4. ~にして

Sentence Pattern
Noun N + にして
Meaning: Only at that stage... / Only such a person... / Even such a person...

Explanation: Has two main uses depending on the noun:
1. With a time point, age, or number of attempts: emphasizes that only after reaching that late stage was something finally achieved—or still not achieved.
2. With an outstanding or special person: emphasizes either that only such a person can do it, or conversely that even such an excellent person failed.

Example Sentences (2)
40歳さいにして初はじめて車くるまの免許めんきょを取とった。
It was not until the age of 40 that I got my driver's license for the first time.
優秀ゆうしゅうな彼かれにして失敗しっぱいしたのだから、私わたしができないのは当然とうぜんだ。
If even someone as capable as him failed, it is only natural that I cannot do it.
Point 5N1_L17_G5

5. ~あっての

Sentence Pattern
Noun N1 + あっての + Noun N2
Meaning: It exists precisely because of... / It is thanks to...

Explanation: Emphasizes the indispensable benefit or extremely important role of the preceding element. It conveys that without that element, the following thing could not be established or exist.

Example Sentences (2)
お客様きゃくさまあっての商売しょうばいですから、サービスを第一だいいちに考かんがえています。
Our business exists because of our customers, so we put service first.
今いまの私わたしの成功せいこうは、家族かぞくの支ささえあってのものです。
The success I have today is entirely thanks to the support of my family.
Point 6N1_L17_G6

6. ~からある / ~からする / ~からの

Sentence Pattern
Noun N (quantity) + からある / からする / からの + Noun N
Meaning: As much/many as... / As high as...

Explanation: Emphasizes an extremely large amount, quantity, distance, size, or price. It is not used for small quantities or periods of time.
✓ ~からある / からの: mainly emphasizes weight, distance, size, or quantity.
✓ ~からする: emphasizes price.
✓ ~からの: often emphasizes a large number of people.

Example Sentences (2)
彼かれは500万円まんえんからする高級車こうきゅうしゃを現金げんきんで購入こうにゅうした。
He bought a luxury car costing as much as five million yen in cash.
そのライブには、10万人まんにんからのファンが集あつまったそうだ。
Apparently, as many as 100,000 fans gathered at that concert.