jlpt-boi / JLPT N2 / Grammar / 〜ずに
〜ずに
The object 「機械を」 needs its verb plus conditional 「使うと」 right after it, producing "if you use the machine without reading the manual, it can actually cause breakdowns."
Tested at JLPT N2 — 1 practice question below.
Practice 〜ずに →説明書を + 読まずに is the fixed "without V-ing" adjunct. Inside the main clause, 機械を + 使うと forms "if you use the machine," and かえって then modifies the result 故障の原因になる to signal the outcome is the opposite of what you'd want.
説明書を ___ 故障の原因になる。
Answer: 使うと · Try this question →