より・のほか（に）（は）ない (yori nohoka ni ha nai)
Nothing exists except ~; the only option is to
Meaning & usage
It expresses that there is no alternative except the stated action or thing, meaning there is no choice but to do it. Plain form verbs attach to よりほか, as in 行くよりほかない, while nouns attach with の instead of より, as in 努力のほかない, followed by optional に or は. The sentence must end with a negative predicate such as ない, 仕方がない or 方法がない, and the pattern sounds formal and written.
Example sentences 8
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とどまるより他に仕方なかった。
I had no choice but to stay.
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良かれ悪しかれ、困難を乗り切るにはこうするより他ない。
For good or ill, there is no way but this to tide over the difficulty.
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謝るよりほかに方法がない。
There is no way other than to apologize.
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自分で行くよりほかないと思う。
I think I have no choice but to go myself.
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待つよりほかにできることはない。
There is nothing to do but wait.
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正直に話すよりほか仕方がない。
I have no choice but to speak honestly.
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この条件をのむよりほかはない。
I have no choice but to accept these terms.
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笑ってごまかすよりほかなかった。
I had no choice but to laugh it off.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 2 past exam questions.
