modality N2 uncommon writtenliterary
〜に相違ない — there is no doubt that ~
〜に相違ない ・ にそういない
Meaning
- there is no doubt that ~ / must surely be ~ — a formal, written assertion of near-certainty based on grounds
Key sentence
この筆跡は、本人のものに相違ない。
There is no doubt this handwriting is the person's own.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun / な-adj (+ である); Verb / い-adj (plain) | N + に相違ない; V(plain) + に相違ない | 事実に相違ない / 中にいるに相違ない |
When: Formal and literary — documents, formal writing, older style. In speech, use に違いない.
Examples
犯人はこの建物の中にいるに相違ない。
There is no doubt the culprit is inside this building.
彼が言ったことは事実に相違ない。
What he said is without doubt the truth.
When you can't use it
- A confident judgment based on grounds rather than direct knowledge; formal/written. Functionally identical to に違いない but stiffer.
Easily confused with
See 〜に相違ない in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜に相違ない the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.