Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 7: 10/21

に違(ちが)いないThere is no doubt that, I'm sure

Structure

Verb + に違(ちが)いない
［い］Adjective + に違(ちが)いない
［な］Adjective + に違(ちが)いない
Noun + に違(ちが)いない

Details

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About に違いない

When the case marking particle に is combined with the noun 違(ちが)い 'difference', and the い-Adjective ない, an expression similar to 'there is no doubt that (A)', or 'I'm sure that (A)' is created.

に違(ちが)いない may be used with any verbs, い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives or nouns in their plain form.

Fun Fact

As に is marking the preceding word in this expression as an existing location (or state), 違(ちが)いない is stating that no 'variance' exists within that state. This means that the literal translation of に違(ちが)いない is close to 'there is no discrepancy in (A)'.

  • あの人(ひと)はカメラマンに囲(かこ)まれている、有名人(ゆうめいじん)に違(ちが)いない。
    That person is surrounded by cameramen. There is no discrepancy in that person being famous. (No reason to disbelieve)

Caution

It should be noted that 違(ちが)いない is a combination of a noun and an い-Adjective, and not the negative form of the う - Verb 違(ちが)う, which would be 違(ちが)わない. 違(ちが)いない translates as 'there is no difference', while 違(ちが)わない would translate as 'it is not different'.

Examples

--:--

    あの顔(かお)は日本人(にほんじん)に違(ちが)いない。

    That face... there is no doubt that that person is Japanese.

    彼女(かのじょ)は病気(びょうき)に違(ちが)いない。

    There is no doubt that she is sick.

    こんなに遅(おそ)いなんて…、何(なに)かあったに違(ちが)いない。

    Being so late... there is no doubt that something happened.

    あの言(い)い方(かた)だと、何(なに)か隠(かく)しているに違(ちが)いない。

    From the way he speaks, there is no doubt that he is hiding something.

    大雪(おおゆき)が降(ふ)って大変(たいへん)だったに違(ちが)いない。

    I am sure that it was tough after that heavy snowfall.

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      に違いない – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • Johnathan-Weir

        Johnathan-Weir

        Should mention that the formal form of this is に違いありません

      • veselinve

        veselinve

        What is the difference between に違いない ｖｓ 違いがない

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