Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
Verb もしないで (~ mo shinai de)

Verb もしないで (~ mo shinai de)

Short explanation:

Meaning: 'without even doing'.

Formation:

Verb-dictionary form + もしないで

Examples:

調べもしないで、答えを書きました。
Shirabe mo shinai de, kotae wo kakimashita.
I wrote the answer without even investigating.
彼は試験を勉強もしないで、テストに合格した。
Kare wa shiken wo benkyou mo shinai de, tesuto ni goukaku shita.
He passed the test without even studying for the exam.
彼女はその本を読むもしないで、レポートを書いた。
Kanojo wa sono hon wo yomu mo shinai de, repooto wo kaita.
She wrote a report without even reading the book.
準備もしないで、プレゼンテーションを始めました。
Junbi mo shinai de, purezenteeshon wo hajimemashita.
Started the presentation without even preparing.

Long explanation:

The もしないで grammar point is used to express an action that hasn't been done before (or even not attempting to do it), yet already doing or completing another action. It conveys the sense of 'without even doing'. The verb used before もしないで should be in its dictionary form.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: Verb もしないで (~ mo shinai de)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb もしないで (~ mo shinai de)

Verb もしないで (~ mo shinai de)

1. Introduction

The grammar point もしないで (~ mo shinai de) is used in Japanese to express the idea of "without doing something." It is formed from the negative form of a verb, followed by で (de). This construction is particularly useful for indicating actions that are not performed, leading to specific implications in sentences.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

  • Meaning: "Without doing [verb]."
  • Structure: [Verb in negative form] + もしないで

Formation Diagram

[Verb (negative form)] + しない (shinai) + で (de)

For example:

  • 食べる (taberu - to eat) → 食べない (tabenai - not to eat) → 食べないで (tabenai de - without eating)
  • 行く (iku - to go) → 行かない (ikanai - not to go) → 行かないで (ikanai de - without going)

Visual Aids

Verb Negative (しない) も + Negative + で
食べる 食べない (tabenai) 食べないでも (tabenai de)
行く 行かない (ikanai) 行かないでも (ikanai de)
見る 見ない (minai) 見ないでも (minai de)

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Similar Grammar Points

  • Verb ないで (~ nai de): Used similarly but does not explicitly include "mo." Often more informal and can imply permission.

    • Example: 食べないで (tabenai de) - "Don't eat."
  • Verb せずに (~ sezu ni): This format also expresses "without doing." It's more formal and often used in written Japanese.

    • Example: 言わずに (iwazu ni) - "without saying."
      Grammar Point Use Case Nuance
      もしないで Informal, general Neutral, can indicate omission
      ないで Informal command More direct prohibition
      せずに Formal More elegant, often used in writing

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

  1. Formal: 会議に参加しないで、この問題を解決できません。
    (Kaigi ni sanka shinai de, kono mondai o kaiketsu dekimasen.)
    "Without participating in the meeting, we cannot solve this issue."
  2. Informal: 宿題もしないで遊んでばかりいる。
    (Shukudai mo shinai de asonde bakari iru.)
    "I'm just playing without doing my homework."
  3. Written: 本を読まずに試験を受けるのは危険だ。
    (Hon o yomazu ni shiken o ukeru no wa kiken da.)
    "It is dangerous to take the exam without reading the book."
  4. Spoken: 何もしないでいると時間が無駄になるよ。
    (Nani mo shinai de iru to jikan ga muda ni naru yo.)
    "If you just sit around without doing anything, time will be wasted."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, taking action and being proactive is highly valued. Using もしないで implies a lack of action, which may be viewed as laziness or irresponsibility in certain contexts, especially in a work environment. Knowing when to use this construction can help navigate social norms effectively.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • "時間を無駄にしないで" (Jikan o muda ni shinai de) - "Don't waste time."

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Mistake: Confusing もしないで with ないで in formal contexts.
    Tip: Remember that もしないで can convey a slightly more nuanced meaning of omission, whereas ないで is more about prohibition.

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic: Think of "もし" as "more" to remember that もしないで gives that extra emphasis on "without doing more."

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • The grammar point もしないで is used to express "without doing" something.
  • It is formed from the negative verb form plus で (de).
  • It conveys a neutral or omitted action, and understanding nuance is essential.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. What is the meaning of もしないで?
  2. How do you form the structure for a verb in もしないで?
  3. Provide an example sentence using もしないで in a conversational context. By reviewing these points, you can enhance your understanding and application of もしないで in Japanese conversations!
hanabira.org

Ace your Japanese JLPT N5-N1 preparation.

Disclaimer

Public Alpha version Open Source (GitHub). This site is currently undergoing active development. You may (will) encounter bugs, inconsistencies, or limited functionality. Lots of sentences might not sound natural. We are progressively addressing these issues with native speakers.


花びら散る

夢のような跡

朝露に

Copyright 2024 @hanabira.org