Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 7: 20/21

そうもない
very unlikely to, does not seem that, does not appear that

Less likely than そうにない

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[ます+ そうない
Verb[ます+ そうありません
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
そうもない is an expression used with verbs in Japanese, to indicate that some particular action is very unlikely. It is a combination of the auxiliary verb そう, the adverbial particle も, and the い-Adjective ない.
To recap, one of the primary uses of そう is to highlight appearance. Therefore, そうもない literally means 'to not even appear like (A)'. This structure will be used after verbs in their conjunctive form.
  • 腕(うで)まだ治(なお)っていないから、あと一週間(いっしゅうかん)ぐらい運動(うんどう)出来(でき)そうもない
    My arm hasn't healed yet, so it is very unlikely that I will exercise for another week.
  • 今日(きょう)は雷(かみなり)酷(ひど)いから、釣(つ)りに行(い)けそうもない
    Since the thunder is very bad today, it does not even appear like I can go fishing.
Caution
そうもない is very similar to そうにない. The primary difference being that そうもない is stronger. This is due to も expressing something that is surprising (or for emphasis), while simply marks a location (or state) within which something does or does not exist. The difference can be understood as follows:
(A) そうもない - To not even look like (A), where 'even' emphasizes (A).
(A) そうにない - To not be looking like (A), where 'be' marks where (A) is 'not' existing.
Caution
そうもない is an expression that is very commonly used with potential verbs, in order to convey that the 'possibility' of something cannot be observed. While this translates as 'to not appear as if (A) can be done', realistically it comes across quite strongly, similar to 'to not stand a chance of doing (A)'.
  • こんな量(りょう)、食(た)べられそうもない
    This amount, it doesn't even seem like I can eat it! (There is way too much to even seem possible to eat)
  • 今日(きょう)は11時(じ)まで帰(かえ)って来(こ)ないかもしれないから、いつも見(み)ているテレビ番組(ばんぐみ)見(み)られそうもない
    Today, I might not be coming home until 11, so I might not be able to watch the show I always watch.
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あんまり雪(ゆき)が降(ふ)っていないから、スキーができそうもない
It's very unlikely that we’ll be able to ski since it didn’t snow very much.
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ごめんね、今(こん)週末(しゅうまつ)は忙(いそが)しくて遊(あそ)べそうもない
Sorry, it’s very unlikely that I’ll be able to hang out this weekend because I’m so busy.
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このテーブルは重(おも)たいから、一人(ひとり)で運(はこ)べそうもない
Since this table is so heavy, it’s very unlikely that I’ll be able to carry it by myself.
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