Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 7: 14/21

とは(かぎ)らないNot necessarily so, Is not always true, There is no guarantee that

Structure

Verb + (かぎ)らない
[い]Adjective + (かぎ)らない
[な]Adjective + + (かぎ)らない
Noun + + (かぎ)らない

Details

  • Formal

About とは限らない

とは(かぎ)らない is regularly used to convey the meaning of '(A) is not necessarily so', or 'there is no guarantee that (A)'. This expression utilizes the case marking particle と in its use for highlighting results, the adverbial particle は, and the negated form of the う - Verb (かぎ)る 'to limit'.

This structure may be used with verbs, い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives, or nouns. However, will be required after な-Adjectives and nouns.

(かぎ)らない literally means 'to not be bound', or 'to not be limited'. Therefore, despite と highlighting a result, that result is then being clarified as 'not the only possibility'.



Misc.

Vocab Coverage

All Bunpro Vocab that appears on this item.

Examples

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  • にわとりは(とり)ですが、()べるとは(かぎ)りません

    A chicken is a bird, but it does not necessarily mean it can fly.

  • (だれ)もがお寿司(すし)()だとは(かぎ)らない

    Not everyone necessarily likes sushi.

  • たとえどんなに緻密(ちみつ)計画(けいかく)()てても、うまくいくとは(かぎ)らない

    No matter how detailed your plan, it is not guaranteed to go well.

  • (きみ)()うことがいつも(ただ)しいとは(かぎ)らないでしょ。

    The things you say are not necessarily always right.

  • 勉強(べんきょう)ができても、(あたま)がいいとは(かぎ)らない

    Just because one is good at studying, doesn't necessarily mean that he (she) is smart.

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とは限らない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (12 in total)

  • ddavo

    ddavo

    In the phrase

    たとえどんなに緻密な計画を立てても、うまくいくとはかぎらない

    Why can’t I use とはかぎらない??

  • Asher

    Asher

    うまくいく is a construction of the adverbial form of うまい and the verb 行く meaning ‘to go well’. だ is unable to follow verbs, which would be why this answer was not accepted. Hope this helps and that you have a great day!

  • ddavo

    ddavo

    I never thought of it like that! I just thought that it was an expression, and thus an adverb or noun or something…

    ありがとう!

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