Grammar › N2 · 13 Obligation and permission

〜ないではすまない: cannot get away without

N2 · 13 Obligation and permission

Says you cannot avoid doing it, or the matter will not be settled otherwise.

Verb ない-form + ではすまない (also ずにはすまない). Often about apology, responsibility or compensation. Compare 〜ないわけにはいかない, which is about duty and 〜ざるを得ない, which is about having no choice.

Examples

こんな大おおきな失敗しっぱいをしたら、謝あやまらないではすまないだろう。

After such a big mistake, you can't get away without apologizing.

ご迷惑めいわくをかけた以上いじょう、責任を取せきにんをとらずにはすまない。

Having caused trouble, I can't avoid taking responsibility.

Study 〜ないではすまない in the course →