Grammar
N2 verb-grammar

Have no choice but 〜ざるを得ない

Meaning

"Have no choice but to ~", "cannot help but ~".

Formation

Notes

Built on the classical negative stem: 書く→書かざる, 食べる→食べざる, and する is irregular — せざるを得ない. It marks reluctant compliance forced by circumstances, never a free choice.

Examples

The rain is so heavy that we have no choice but to cancel.

Breakdown
rain severe cancellation have no choice but to do

It is an order from my boss, so I have to obey.

Breakdown
superior / boss order have no choice but to obey

I had no choice but to admit the facts.

Breakdown
facts had to acknowledge

I was unwell and had to give up the trip.

Breakdown
physical condition bad trip had to give up

Looking at this result, one has to call it a failure.

Breakdown
result looking at failure cannot but say

⚠️ Often confused with

Cannot possibly 〜わけにはいかない

"I cannot ~ (for social or moral reasons)"; with a ない form, "I have to ~".

Nothing for it but 〜よりほかない

"There is nothing for it but to ~".

Unable to 〜かねる

"Cannot ~", "am not in a position to ~" — a polite refusal.