〜ことなく

About

The「Verbことなく」pattern consists of a verb, the nominalizer こと, and なく (the adverbial form of ない).

～ことなく attaches to verbs, and is used to say that something is done "without (verb)". ～ことなく shouldn't be used with actions that are too mundane or unimportant.

～ことなく is often (but not always) used to say that a positive outcome was achieved, without a negative action or phenomenon occurring.

～ことなく sounds a bit stiff, and is commonly used in both written situations, as well as more formal spoken scenarios. That being said, it isn't limited to these contexts and still sees a fair amount of use in everyday speech.

E.g. たくさん木きを入いれたので、ストーブは朝あさまで消きえることなくついていた。 "I put lots of wood in, so the stove stayed on (without going out) until morning."

E.g. 最後さいごまで諦あきらめることなく努力どりょくした人ひとのみが報むくわれるんです。 "Only those who persevere without giving up will be rewarded."

E.g. 夏なつは日ひが長ながいので、あまり電気でんきを使つかうことなく過すごせる。 "In summer, the days are long, so you can get by without using your lights too much."

Summary

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  ～ことなく attaches to dictionary form verbs, and is used to express that said verb is done "without Y"

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  ～ことなく shouldn't be used with actions that are too mundane or unimportant

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  ～ことなく sounds a bit stiff, and is commonly used in both written situations, as well as more formal spoken scenarios, but may also be used in casual contexts