[JLPT grammar] The difference between ないで and なくて

Today I am going to share the homework correction quoted from my JLPT N4 course!
The student’s sentence is not correct. Can you find the mistake?

 

[Student’s sentence]

朝ごはんを食べなくて、学校に来ました。

*あさごはんをたべなくて、がっこうにきました。

 



 

[My correction]

朝ごはんを食べなくて、学校に来ました。
→朝ごはんを食べないで、学校に来ました。
I came to school without eating breakfast.

Aないで、B:B without A
Aなくて、B:(I) didn’t do A, so B

AないでB means that A is not done and B is done instead.

e.g.
寝(ね)ないでレポートを書(か)きました。
I wrote a report without sleeping.

辞書(じしょ)を使(つか)わないで、テストを受(う)けてください。
Please take the test without using a dictionary.

AなくてB means that there is a negative result because of not doing A, and B is the result or outcome.

e.g.
勉強(べんきょう)しなくて、テストに落(お)ちました。
I failed the exam because I didn’t study.

パーティーに行(い)けなくて、残念(ざんねん)です。
I regret not being able to go to the party.

 

 

I hope my explanation helps you. 😊

 

In the JLPT course, all lessons come with homework, if you submit your homework, I will reply with corrections.
I can break down the Japanese grammar and point out mistakes, explaining the structure and nuances of Japanese in an easy-to-understand way.
You can also ask me any questions as much as you want. I will teach you until you get it!

 

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