Explanation
Means 'without doing', 'not doing', or 'without happening'.
Formation
Verb-stem + ことなく
Detailed explanation
The grammar point ことなく is added to the stem of a verb to express that something doesn't happen or isn't done. It can be translated as 'without doing', 'not doing', or 'without happening'. The formation depends on whether it is used with a verb.
Examples
彼女は泣くことなく帰ってしまいました。
Kanojo wa naku koto naku kaette shimaimashita.
She went home without crying.
彼は注意することなく突然出かけた。
Kare wa chūi suru koto naku totsuzen dekaketa.
He suddenly left without giving any warning.
山田さんは誰にも話すことなく会社を辞めました。
Yamada-san wa dare ni mo hanasu koto naku kaisha o yamemashita.
Mr. Yamada quit the company without talking to anyone.
２０年間、病気になることなく働いています。
Nijūnenkan, byōki ni naru koto naku hataraite imasu.
I have been working for 20 years without getting sick.
Practice
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.