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Grammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 10

Structure of 事(こと)はない:

Verb + ことはない

Details about 事(こと)はない:

ことはない is an expression that has two primary purposes in Japanese. To convey that there is 'no need for (A)', or that '(A) never happens'. In these cases, (A) is a verb that will appear directly before こと. ことはない is often used to reassure someone that something will not come to pass.
In this expression, the adverbial particle は is working to present (A) as the extent (a regular role of adverbial particles), while the 形容詞(けいようし) ない negates that extent. This negation is up to interpretation, with the literal meaning simply being 'There is no (A)'.
  • そんなに(あわ)てることはないまだ時間(じかん)いっぱいあるからゆっくりやればいいよ。
    There is no need to rush that much. We still have a lot of time, so it is okay if you pace yourself.
  • 10(ねん)(まえ)(おや)喧嘩(けんか)てから(おや)(はな)ことはない
    Ever since I fought with my parents 10 years ago, I have not talked to them.
事(こと)はない

Usage Notes for 事(こと)はない:

This structure is very different to たことがない, which presents a single instance of something not having happened. As opposed to the case marking particle が, は presents the verb/verb-phrase as a topic itself in non-past form, highlighting its non-existence. Due to this, ことはない can imply that (A) is unthinkable, or even impossible.
  • そんなに心配(しんぱい)した(こと)()い。
    There has never been a time where I worried that much.
  • そんなに心配(しんぱい)することはないよ。
    There is no need to worry that much.

Synonyms for 事(こと)はない:

わけがない
There is no way, There is no reason, It is impossible, Cannot be
はずがない
Hardly possible, Cannot be, Highly unlikely, Improbable
なくてもいい
Don't have to
すこしも~ない
Not even a little, Not at all, Not in the least, Never
決して〜ない
Never, By no means
ひつようがある
It is necessary to
ことだ
Should, Ought
ことがある
Something is possible, Sometimes, Occasionally, There are times when

Example of 事(こと)はない

これ以上(いじょう)(なに)()ことはない

There is no need to say more.

沖縄(おきなわ)()んだら、(ゆき)()ことはない

If you live in Okinawa, you never see snow.

()とした(かぎ)()つけたから、もう心配(しんぱい)することはない

Since we found the keys that were dropped, there is no need to worry anymore.

(おそ)れることはない(おも)()ってやってみるんだ!

There is no need to be scared. Give it all of your might!

そんな(いそ)ことはない。ぼちぼちやればいい

There is no need to hurry. You should take your time.

Grammar same lesson

といえば

Speaking of, If it were the case that
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は~で有名(ゆうめい)

Is famous for
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と言(い)っても

Although ~ might say that ~
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合(あ)う

To or for one another, Mutually, With
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の姿(すがた)

Figure, Shape, Appearance, Looks, Wearing, Dressed in, Presence
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