JLPT N1 Shinkanzen Grammar Lesson 3: ～をおいて・～ならでは・～にとどまらず (Only... / Unique to... / Not only...)

～をおいて・～ならでは・～にとどまらず (Only... / Unique to... / Not only...)

JLPT N1
Shinkanzen N1 • 5 key grammar patterns
Point 1N1_L3_G1

1. ～をおいて

Sentence Pattern
Noun N + をおいて
Meaning: There is no one/nothing else comparable except...

Explanation: Used with a highly valued person or thing. The following clause is always negative (e.g. ほかにいない, ほかには考えられない), emphasizing that the referent is uniquely unmatched.

Example Sentences (2)
この重要じゅうようなプロジェクトを任まかせられる人ひとは、田中たなかさんをおいてほかにいない。
There is no one other than Mr. Tanaka whom we can entrust with this important project.
雄大ゆうだいな自然しぜんを満喫まんきつするなら、北海道ほっかいどうをおいてほかにない。
If you want to fully enjoy magnificent nature, there is nowhere better than Hokkaido.
Point 2N1_L3_G2

2. ～ならでは

Sentence Pattern
Noun N + ならでは（だ）
Meaning: Something only... can offer / A feature unique to...

Explanation: Expresses high praise: only N can produce such an excellent quality, which cannot be found elsewhere. Commonly used as 「～ならではの...だ」 or 「～ならではだ」.

Example Sentences (2)
この素晴すばらしい味あじわいは、あの老舗しにせレストランならではのものだ。
This superb flavor is something unique to that long-established restaurant.
細部さいぶまで行ゆき届とどいた心遣こころづかいは、日本にほんならではのおもてなしだ。
Such meticulous attention to every detail is hospitality uniquely characteristic of Japan.
Point 3N1_L3_G3

3. ～にとどまらず

Sentence Pattern
Noun N / Vる (Dictionary form) + にとどまらず
Meaning: Not limited to...; it extends further to...

Explanation: Used with words indicating a phenomenon or limited scope. The following clause expands to a much broader range that includes the first one, such as nationwide or worldwide. The verb とどまる (止まる) means 'to stop/remain'.

Example Sentences (2)
スキャンダルの影響えいきょうは国内こくないにとどまらず、世界中せかいじゅうに広ひろがっている。
The impact of the scandal is not limited to the country; it has spread worldwide.
彼かれの趣味しゅみは読書どくしょにとどまらず、小説しょうせつの執筆しっぴつにまで及およんでいる。
His interest goes beyond reading books and extends even to writing novels himself.
Point 4N1_L3_G4

4. ～はおろか

Sentence Pattern
Noun N (+ particle) + はおろか
Meaning: Let alone...; even...

Explanation: Presents N first as something that goes without saying, then adds something more basic, surprising, or noteworthy in the following clause. It corresponds to “let alone / not to mention N, even...”. The latter clause often contains も, さえ, すら, まで. It frequently appears in negative contexts, but the sentence is not inherently required to be negative.

Example Sentences (2)
喉のどが痛いたくて、固かたい食たべ物ものはおろか、水みずさえ飲のみ込こめない。
My throat hurts so much that, let alone solid food, I cannot even swallow water.
貯金ちょきんはおろか、日々ひびの生活費せいかつひすら事欠ことかく有様ありさまだ。
Forget about savings; I am even struggling to cover everyday living expenses.
Point 5N1_L3_G5

5. ～もさることながら

Sentence Pattern
Noun N + もさることながら
Meaning: ...is certainly notable, but ... is even more so.

Explanation: Acknowledges that the first item is indeed good or noteworthy, but the main purpose is to add and place even stronger emphasis on the excellent point in the latter clause.

Example Sentences (2)
あのレストランは料理りょうりの味あじもさることながら、店員てんいんのサービスが素晴すばらしい。
That restaurant's food is certainly delicious, but the staff's service is even more outstanding.
彼女かのじょはルックスの良よさもさることながら、性格せいかくも優やさしいのでみんなに愛あいされている。
Her good looks are certainly notable, but she also has a very kind personality, so everyone loves her.
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