nothing but
none other than
simply
Structure
- Noun + にほかならない / にほかならぬ
硬
[AはBにほかならない, A is nothing but B. Used to emphasize a statement: reason, cause, fact, metaphors, etc.]
[にほかならぬ can be used in very formal writing]
In the following sentence：
この会社がここまで成長したのは、彼との出会いがあったからにほかならない
“にほかならない” is used after the particle から, but in the structure section it reads:
Noun + にほかならない (1)
There’s no mention of this grammar point being able to connect to the から particle / a reason.
I think it might be good to include this in the structure section.
1 Like
Hi!
In the explanation of this grammar point, it says that “に他ならない is a grammar pattern used with verbs to indicate that…” though the pattern is then shown to be used with nouns.
Further to this, I see in the JGram link that other constructions are possible:
PLAIN FORMS (Verb, i/na Adjectives, Noun) + にほかならない
- But in case of Noun and na-Adjective だ is not added
- There are also Noun/na-Adjective + である
- when expressing reason から can also be added
In particular, the last one (addition of から) can be seen in the example sentences provided in the grammar point, as already pointed out by Bruinvis.
Finally, examples are given of the use of this pattern with verbs by nominalizing them with もの.