Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 3: 18/23

てからでないと(Not) unless ~ cannot, (Not) until ~ cannot

Structure

Verb［て］ + からでないと + (Negative)
Verb［て］ + からでなければ + (Negative)

Details

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About てからでないと

Constructed from the て-form of verbs, から 'from', で, ない, and と, てからでないと is a grammar pattern that expresses that 'unless (A), (B) will not happen', or 'until (A), you cannot (B)'. Due to this, the (B) part of sentences that use this grammar pattern will always be negative.

This structure simply indicates that (B) must come after (A). This could be in relation either to (A) and (B) being finished, or simply to (B) becoming possible after (A).

Alternatively, the hypothetical ば form may be used instead of と. This will appear as てからでなければ.

てからでないと can be thought of as an extension of the base てから grammar pattern that expresses that (B) only happens after (A).

Related

Examples

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    サンプルを見(み)てからでないと、買(か)うかどうかは決(き)められません。

    Until I see the sample, I cannot decide whether to buy it or not.

    猫舌(ねこじた)なので、冷(さ)めてからでないと飲(の)めない。

    Since I am sensitive to hot things, until it cools, I cannot drink it.

    電源(でんげん)を切(き)ってからでないと、コンセントを抜(ぬ)いてはいけません。

    Unless you turn off the power, you cannot unplug it.

    サークルに入(はい)ってからでないと、活動(かつどう)に参加(さんか)できない。

    Unless you join (enter) the club, you cannot participate in the activities.

    撮影(さつえい)してからでないと、ギャラは入(はい)りません。

    Until you (take) some photographs, you will not be paid.

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てからでないと – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (5 in total)

  • nekoyama

    nekoyama

    In てから, it means “after” (grammar point for てから).

    So, roughly, “if it’s not after doing…”

  • l2Characters

    l2Characters

    “てからじゃないと” was accepted as an answer, but “てからではないと” was not. Why is that? I thought じゃ was a contraction of では.

  • Pablunpro

    Pablunpro

    Hi!

    This grammar point is translated as ‘(Not) unless ~ cannot, (Not) until ~ cannot’ and a fair share of the writeup sentences and the examples use the potential negative form of the verbs in the (B) part as a natural reflection of this.

    However, this natural use of the potential form is not mentioned either in the explanation or in the Structure box. Could this be done in a similar way to the なくはない grammar point?

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