Japatan
Formation
- N + に限らず
Explanation
This means "not only N, but others too." It follows a noun, and the second part often contains も, だれでも or どなたでも. It shows that something is not limited to one case but applies more widely. It is a little more formal than だけでなく.
Examples
この公園は、週末 に限らず、平日も家族連れでにぎわう。
This park is busy with families not only on weekends but on weekdays too.
日本料理は、日本人 に限らず、世界中の人に人気がある。
Japanese food is popular not only with Japanese people but with people all over the world.
この講座は、学生 に限らず、どなたでも参加できます。
Anyone can join this course, not just students.
英語 に限らず、外国語は毎日使わないとすぐ忘れてしまう。
Not just English, but any foreign language is quickly forgotten if you don't use it every day.
Notes
It has the opposite meaning of に限って and に限り ("only"). Adding も in the second part makes the meaning clear.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1この映画は、子ども（ ）大人も楽しめる。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 に限らず
Because 大人も follows, に限らず ("not only") is correct: "Not only children but adults can enjoy this movie." に限って means "only," which does not match も.
2田中さんは料理（ ）、掃除や洗濯も得意だ。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 に限らず
The meaning is "not only cooking but also cleaning and laundry," so に限らず is correct: "Tanaka is good not only at cooking but also at cleaning and laundry." に限り means "only" and conflicts with も.
3この店は ＿＿ ＿＿ ＿★＿ ＿＿ にぎわっている。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 夜も
The correct order is 1→4→2→3: この店は昼に限らず夜も遅くまでにぎわっている ("This shop is busy not only at lunchtime but also until late at night"). The starred item is 夜も.
