JLPT N1 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 20: ~てやまない・~に越したことはない・~を余儀なくされる (Deeply wish... / Nothing is better than... / Be forced to...)

~てやまない・~に越したことはない・~を余儀なくされる (Deeply wish... / Nothing is better than... / Be forced to...)

JLPT N1
Shinkanzen N1 • 6 key grammar patterns
Point 1N1_L20_G1

1. ~てやまない

Sentence Pattern
Vて + やまない
Meaning: Continually... / Never cease to... (from the heart)

Explanation: Expresses a strong feeling that continues without ceasing. It is mainly used with a limited set of verbs describing inner feelings, such as 願う, 期待する, 愛する and 祈る. It is not normally used for momentary bursts of emotion. The subject is usually the first person and is often omitted.

Example Sentences (2)
親おやはいつでも子供こどもの幸しあわせを願ねがってやまないものだ。
Parents never cease to wish for their children's happiness.
平和へいわな世界せかいが訪おとずれることを祈いのってやまない。
I sincerely and continually pray for a peaceful world to come.
Point 2N1_L20_G2

2. ~に堪えない(にたえない)

Sentence Pattern
Noun N (emotion) + に堪たえない
Meaning: Overwhelmed with... / Unable to contain (an emotion)

Explanation: Expresses an emotion so strong that the speaker cannot contain it. It is used with a limited set of nouns denoting intense emotions, such as 感謝, 感激, 同情 and 悲しみ. The subject is the first person.

Example Sentences (2)
皆様みなさまの温あたたかいご支援しえんをいただき、感謝かんしゃに堪たえません。
Having received everyone's warm support, I am filled with immeasurable gratitude.
突然とつぜんの悲報ひほうに接せっし、悲かなしみに堪たえません。
On receiving the sudden sad news, I was overwhelmed with grief.
Point 3N1_L20_G3

3. ~ないではすまない / ~ずにはすまない

Sentence Pattern
Vない + ではすまない
V ない + ずにはすまない
* Exception: verb する -> せずにはすまない
Meaning: Must... / Cannot get away without doing...

Explanation: Means that, judging from morality, social common sense, or the rules of the situation, the action must naturally be performed; failing to do it would be unacceptable. It is often used for apology, compensation, or making amends rather than for actions based merely on personal feelings or will.

Example Sentences (2)
会社かいしゃの車くるまを壊こわしてしまったのだから、弁償べんしょうしないではすまない。
Since I damaged the company car, I cannot get away without compensating for it.
他人たにんのアイデアを盗ぬすんだのだから、謝罪しゃざいせずにはすまないだろう。
Since he stole someone else's idea, he surely cannot avoid apologizing.
Point 4N1_L20_G4

4. ~ないではおかない / ~ずにはおかない

Sentence Pattern
Vない + ではおかない
V ない + ずにはおかない
* Exception: verb する -> せずにはおかない
Meaning: Will definitely... / Will inevitably cause...

Explanation: Has two readings depending on the subject. With a first-person human subject, it expresses a strong determination to make something happen. With an event or inanimate subject, it means that the force of the situation will inevitably cause a certain result.

Example Sentences (2)
どんな困難こんなんがあろうと、この計画けいかくは絶対ぜったいに成功せいこうさせないではおかない。
No matter what difficulties arise, I am absolutely determined to make this plan succeed.
この映画えいがの感動的かんどうてきなラストシーンは、見みる者ものを泣なかせずにはおかない。
The moving final scene of this movie is sure to make viewers cry.
Point 5N1_L20_G5

5. ~を禁じ得ない(をきんじえない)

Sentence Pattern
Noun N (emotion) + を禁きんじ得えない
Meaning: Cannot suppress/contain (an emotion)...

Explanation: Expresses that, because of the situation unfolding before the speaker, an emotion wells up so strongly that it cannot be suppressed. It commonly occurs with emotion-related nouns such as 涙, 怒り, 同情 and 驚き. The subject is the first person.

Example Sentences (2)
罪つみのない子供こどもたちが犠牲ぎせいになるニュースを見みて、強つよい怒いかりを禁きんじ得えない。
Seeing news of innocent children becoming victims, I cannot suppress my intense anger.
彼かれの波乱万丈はらんばんじょうな人生じんせいの話はなしを聞きいて、深ふかい同情どうじょうを禁きんじ得えなかった。
After hearing the story of his turbulent life, I could not help feeling deep sympathy.
Point 6N1_L20_G6

6. ~を余儀なくされる / ~を余儀なくさせる

Sentence Pattern
Noun N (event/action) + を余儀よぎなくされる / を余儀よぎなくさせる
Meaning: Be forced to... / Force someone/something to...

Explanation: Describes being forced by circumstances to do something despite not wanting to. ~を余儀なくされる focuses on the person or party forced into the action, while ~を余儀なくさせる takes the circumstance or cause as the subject that forces another party to act.

Example Sentences (2)
記録的きろくてきな大雪おおゆきのため、予定よていしていたイベントは中止ちゅうしを余儀よぎなくされた。
Because of record-breaking heavy snow, the scheduled event was forced to be canceled.
資金不足しきんぶそくが、そのプロジェクトの大幅おおはばな見直みなおしを余儀よぎなくさせた。
The shortage of funds forced the project to undergo a major review.