JLPT N2 Japanese Grammar: のみならず (nominarazu) | Comparison with ばかりか & に限らず

This article explains the N2 grammar point ~のみならず (nominarazu) by comparing it with similar expressions: ~ばかりか (bakarika) and ~に限らず (kagirazu).

Core

nominarazu: Scope Extension

The Logic of ~のみならず

Structure: “Nomi” (Limit) + “Narazu” (Negation)
Core Identity: Scope Extension The logic is that the situation does not end at the boundary of “A.” Instead, area “B” is added to expand the total territory.
Visual Image: “House Extension” Imagine you have a main house (A). You then attach a separate building or “extension” (B). Rather than tearing down the walls to merge them (like kagirazu), you acknowledge the existence of A and simply add B to expand the total area.
Example: 日本のみならず、世界中で評価されている。 (It is evaluated highly not only in Japan but throughout the world.)
Logic: It is a given that it is evaluated in Japan, but that range has now expanded to include the entire world.

Because this expression emphasizes the logical expansion of a range rather than personal feelings, it is highly suited for formal writing (reports and explanations) where facts are described objectively.

Comparison with ~ばかりか

Core Logic: Overflowing Expectation The logic here is: “Can this be contained within the degree of A? No, it has overflowed and reached B!” This expression includes the speaker’s surprise or blame.

Visual Image: “Overflowing Water” You expected the water to stay within the glass (A). However, an unexpected amount was poured, and it overflowed to wet the floor (B).

Example: 彼は英語ができるばかりか、中国語も話せる。 (Not only can he speak English, but he can also speak Chinese.)

Nuance: “I thought he was only at the level of speaking English, but to my surprise, it overflowed even into Chinese!” This carries the speaker’s subjective shock.

Comparison with ~に限らず

Core Logic: Removing Boundaries
Visual Image: “Removing a Door” Initially, there was a door (limit) between “Weekdays” and “Weekends.” By removing that door (kagirazu), you create one large, continuous space called “Every day.”
Example: 平日に限らず、休日も営業している。 (This shop is open not only on weekdays but also on weekends.)
Nuance: A is merely a representative example. The focus is not on the addition of B, but on the universal fact that the rule applies to “everything/everyone without exception.”
Grammar Rule: Unlike nominarazu, ~に限らず must be preceded specifically by a Noun.

Practice Quiz

Note: Answers are located below the Summary.

このプロジェクトは、社内（　　）、多くの企業から注目されている。
① を問わず
② のみならず
③ ばかりに
④ といえば

あの人は、嘘をついた（　　）、彼女を泣かせたそうだ。
① に限らず
② ばかりか
③ にもかかわらず
④ といっても

この公園は ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 利用できる。
① 夜間
② に限らず
③ も
④ 昼間

この不況は ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 深刻な影響を与えている。
① のみならず
② 日本
③ に
④ 世界経済全体

Summary

Grammar	Core Logic	Visual Image	Tone/Nuance
~のみならず	Scope Extension	House Extension	Objective / Formal / Logical
~ばかりか	Overflowing Expectation	Overflowing Water	Subjective / Surprise / Shock
~に限らず	Removing Boundaries	Doorless Room	Universal / “All” / Flat fact

Q1 Answer: ② のみならず

このプロジェクトは、社内（ ② のみならず）、多くの企業から注目されている。 (This project is attracting attention not only within the company but also from many other companies.)

Logic (Scope Extension): The sentence describes the “attention” expanding from a narrow circle (Internal) to a wider circle (Other companies).
Why not ①? While wo towazu means “regardless,” it is usually used with categories that have built-in variety (like Gender or Age). Using nominarazu here clearly signals the extension of interest from the base (internal) to the addition (external).

Q2 Answer: ② ばかりか

あの人は、嘘をついた（ ② ばかりか）、彼女を泣かせたそうだ。 (I heard that person not only lied but even made her cry.)

Logic (Overflowing Expectation): Lying was the initial bad act (the glass). However, the bad behavior “overflowed” into a more shocking or extreme act: making her cry (the spill on the floor).
Why not ③? Ni mo kakawarazu means “Despite,” which would imply a contradiction (e.g., “Despite being a good person, he lied”), which doesn’t fit the cumulative bad behavior here.

Q3 Answer: ④ ② ① ③ (昼間に限らず夜間も)

この公園は ( 昼間 ) ( に限らず ) ( 夜間 ) ( も ) 利用できる。 (This park can be used not only during the day but also at night / without exception.)

Logic (Removing Boundaries): By using ni kagirazu, the speaker removes the “wall” or “door” between Daytime and Nighttime. It emphasizes the universal availability of the park (Day + Night = Always).

Q4 Answer: ② ① ④ ③ (日本のみならず世界経済全体に)

この不況は ( 日本 ) ( のみならず ) ( 世界経済全体 ) ( に ) 深刻な影響を与えている。 (This recession is having a serious impact not only on Japan but on the entire global economy.)

Logic (Scope Extension): The logic follows the “House Extension” image. The recession started in Japan (the main house) and extended its reach to the entire world economy (the new building). It is a formal, objective statement of expanding impact.