Japatan
Formation
- V辞書形 + ことはない
Explanation
There are two uses. (1) "There is no need to ~": used to reassure or advise someone, often with そんなに or わざわざ. (2) The negative of 〜ことがある: "~ does not happen / never ~." The context tells you which meaning is meant.
Examples
まだ時間があるから、そんなに 急ぐことはないよ。
We still have time, so there's no need to hurry like that.
小さいミスだから、そんなに 気にすることはありません。
It's a small mistake, so you don't need to worry about it so much.
書類はメールで送れるので、わざわざ会社まで 来ることはありません。
You can send the documents by email, so there's no need to come all the way to the office.
田中さんはまじめな人なので、約束の時間に 遅れることはない。
Mr. Tanaka is a serious person, so he is never late for an appointment.
Notes
Use (1) can sound a little strong to a superior; 〜なくても大丈夫です is more polite. 行ったことはない (with the た form) means "have never done," which is a different pattern.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1試験はまだ先だから、そんなに（ ）ことはないよ。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 心配する
"The exam is still a long way off, so there's no need to worry so much." ことはない follows the dictionary form: 心配する. 心配し and 心配して are wrong forms, and 心配しないことはない does not give the meaning "no need to."
2A「明日、私も空港まで送りに行こうか。」
B「大丈夫だよ。一人で行けるから、（ ）。」
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 来ることはないよ
A: "Shall I come to the airport to see you off tomorrow?" B: "It's fine. I can go alone, so you don't need to come." B means "there is no need to come." The other choices do not match B's message that A doesn't need to come.
3佐藤さんは毎朝早く起きるので、会社に遅れる（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 ことはない
"Ms. Sato gets up early every morning, so she is never late for work." Because she gets up early, ことはない (never happens) fits. ことがある and ことになる contradict the reason. ことにする is for the speaker's own decision.
