JLPT N2 grammar

〜か〜ないかのうちにmeaning and usage

Meaning

Right after A, C

How to form it

  • verb (dictionary form)かverb (nai-form)かのうちに
  • verb (ta-form)かverb (nai-form)かのうちに

How it is used

B happens just as A is happening, almost before A is over: 'hardly had A when B'. The same verb appears in positive and negative form. B is an actual event, not an order or intention.

Examples

  1. その一行が出発するかしないかのうちに、雨が降り出した。

    The party had hardly left when it began to rain.

  2. ベルが鳴るか鳴らないかのうちに、学生たちは教室を出た。

    The bell had barely rung when the students left the classroom.

  3. 弟は布団に入ったか入らないかのうちに、もう寝ていた。

    My little brother was asleep almost the moment he got into bed.

About the example 1. Immediately after A, C; just as A happens, C