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をおいてほかにない（を措いてほかにない）

There is nothing but … / No one other than … / The only …

This grammar expresses that only one option/person/thing qualifies, and no alternative exists.

N1

Meaning

There is nothing but … / No one other than … / The only …

This grammar expresses that only one option/person/thing qualifies, and no alternative exists.

Formation

Noun + をおいてほかにない

Explanation

をおいてほかにない is used to emphasize exclusivity.

Core idea:

  • “There is no one except X.”

  • “Nothing but X will do.”

  • “X is the only possible choice.”

Important nuance:

  • Strong emphasis on uniqueness

  • Often expresses:

    • praise

    • inevitability

    • absolute necessity

  • Used in:

    • formal writing

    • speeches

    • persuasive or evaluative contexts

    • JLPT N1 reading passages

Tone:

  • Formal

  • Authoritative

  • Conclusive

It often sounds stronger than:

  • しかない

  • ほかにない