日本語道場
Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2
N2
~に違いない
~ni chigai nai
must be, no doubt
When to use it
Use ~に違いない to assert a conclusion you are confident of on the basis of evidence or reasoning — "it must be that…, no doubt…". It is stronger and more subjective than ~はずだ (which relies on shared expectation) and far stronger than ~だろう. In reports, email and negotiation it appears as the polite ~に違いありません; in speech and internal discussion the plain form is common, but note that pressing a client with it can sound presumptuous, so ~のではないでしょうか is often safer.
Formation
Examples
These sales figures must be an input error.
They must have already moved ahead with another company.
The lack of a reply must mean they're unhappy with the terms.
They'll no doubt ask for a price cut at the next negotiation.
This deadline must be tough on the people on the ground.