なしで・
After a noun, なしで is the plain "without". With は and a negative, なしには and なしでは say "cannot … without", and なくして（は） says the same in the stiff voice of speeches and mottos.
without
You can get into this museum without a reservation.
cannot … without
This project can't continue without the agreement of local people.
the same, as a principle
Without the agreement of local people, this project cannot continue.
How to form it
Noun + なしで／なしに／なくして
Straight onto the noun, with no particle between: 予約なしで. In formal writing a verb goes in with こと: 学ぶことなしには, 学ぶことなくして.
Which one is it?
| After the noun | It means | Like this |
|---|---|---|
| なしで | Without: the one people say | 予約なしで without a reservation |
| なしに | The same, more written | 断りなしに without asking |
| なしには, なしでは + a negative | Cannot … without | 涙なしには |
| なくして（は） + a negative | The same, stiff and rhetorical | 努力なくして |
Plain "without": なしで and なしに
In conversation it is なしで. なしに is at home in writing, and in a few phrases everyone uses: 断りなしに, 予告なしに (without notice), 休みなしに (without a break).
I want to be able to read a Japanese newspaper without a dictionary.
My little brother uses my bike without asking.
Product specifications may change without notice.
"Without doing" is ないで or ずに
English "without" also takes "-ing". なしで takes only a noun.
Not said: 傘を
(I went out without taking an umbrella.)
傘を持たないで出かけた, or 持たずに. With the noun alone: 傘なしで.
Cannot … without: なしには, なしでは
With は, and a negative or an "impossible" after it, the noun is something you can't do without. なしには is mostly written, though everyone knows 涙なしには語れない. なしでは is said as well: スマホなしでは生活できない.
Without the residents' understanding, it would be hard to go ahead with this redevelopment plan.
This facility cannot operate without a stable electricity supply.
Plainer still is がないと, or がいないと, about a person.
I can't see a thing without my glasses.
なくして（は）: the stiff one
The same "cannot … without", said as a principle or an appeal: essays, speeches, slogans. Before it comes something weighty, such as trust, effort or cooperation. は is optional.
You cannot build a lasting partnership without trust.
Without basic research, there can be no breakthroughs in technology.
Sounds odd: コーヒーなくして、
My morning does not begin without coffee.
About something small, it is said for fun.
Close neighbours
抜きでN2
Takes out a part that would normally be there: no meat, no boss. A reservation or an umbrella was never a part, so those take なしで.
You can order this curry without meat.
After a verb: the written "without doing". Before a negative, ことなしには is "cannot … without".
How the accident happened can't be examined unless detailed records are kept.
あってのN1
The same claim from the other side, said as thanks or as a reminder: B is only there because of A.
We are only in business because of our customers.
Check yourself
1Which ending fits?
十分な
Choose an answer to see why.
2You are telling a friend about last night's dinner. Which fits?
Choose an answer to see why.
3"He went home without saying anything."
彼は
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
も in the middle adds "so much as": 何の連絡もなしに.
He has been off work for three days without so much as a word.
More sentences
This equipment cannot be operated safely without expert advice.
No は here. The negative ending does the work.
It is impossible to keep the research going without continued funding.
Without sustained investment, there is no hope of rebuilding local healthcare.
Without mutual trust, there can be no real dialogue.
We cannot prevent the same mistakes without learning from past failures.
A verb, with こと.