Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 7: 21/21

ない事(こと)はない
is not impossible, it doesn't mean that it isn't

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[ない]+ ことはない(1)
[い]Adjective[ない]+ ことはない(1)
[な]Adjective + ではない(2) + ことはない(1)

(1) こともない
(2) じゃない
Verb[ない]+ ことはありません(1)
[い]Adjective[ない]+ ことはありません(1)
[な]Adjective + ではない(2) + ことはありません(1)

(1) こともありません
(2) じゃない
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
ないことはない is an expression that utilizes either the 助動詞(じょどうし) (auxiliary verb) ない, or the い-Adjective ない, depending on what type of word it is used with. This structure may literally be translated as something similar to ‘not (A) is not all there is’. However, the common translations are ‘(A) is not impossible’, or ‘it doesn’t mean that it isn’t (A)’.
This expression may be used with the ない form of any verb, い-Adjective, or な-Adjective. Let’s have a look at a few examples before exploring the meaning further.
  • 映画(えいが)は見(み)ないことはない、詳(くわ)しくもない。
    It’s not that I don't watch movies, but I am just not knowledgeable about them at all.
  • ここは危(あぶ)ないことはないけど、気(き)つけた方(ほう)がいい
    It’s not that this place isn't safe, but you should be careful.
  • 元気(げんき)ではないことはないけど、すごく元気(げんき)なわけでもない
    It doesn't mean that I am not healthy, but it is not the case that I am very fit.
By itself, ことはない highlights something that is unneeded, or never happens. This is partly due to the 副助詞(ふくじょし) (adverbial particle) は expressing something as being ‘complete’. In this way, ‘there is no situation in which (A)’, is quite an accurate translation of ことはない. By adding ない to the (A) verb, all ないことはない is doing is simply changing this nuance to ‘there is -not- no situation in which (A)’, a double negative expressing that (A) is actually possible.
Fun Fact
ないことはない often appears with verbs in the potential form. This usually implies a lack of effort, or feelings of half heartedness toward the completion of (A). It is similar to ‘it’s not like I can’t (A)’ in English.
  • 納豆(なっとう)は食(た)べられないことはないけど、自分(じぶん)から買(か)って食(た)べようは思(おも)わない
    It's not that I don't like natto, it's just that I don't think I will buy it myself to eat.
  • 歩(ある)いていけないことはないけど、歩(ある)いたら6時間(じかん)ぐらいかかるよ。
    It's not that you can't walk there, but if you did, it would take about six hours.
Slow Male
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スクルージ:「オレはオジサンになったから新(あたら)しいことを全然(ぜんぜん)学(まな)べない。」
ヒューイ:「どんなに歳(とし)を取(と)っても新(あたら)しいことを学(まな)べないことはない。」
Scrooge: "I got old, so I can't learn new things at all."
Huey: "No matter how old you get, it is not impossible to learn new things!"
Play  
A:「お金(かね)がないから君(きみ)と一緒(いっしょ)に旅行(りょこう)にいけないんだ。」
B:「お金(かね)がなくても旅行(りょこう)にいけないことはない。」
A: "I don't have money so I can't go on a trip with you."
B: "It is not impossible to take a trip without any money."
Play  
A:「浅(あさ)いからここで泳(およ)ごう!」
B:「浅(あさ)いけど、あぶなくないことはない。」
A: "It's shallow so let's swim here!"
B: "It is shallow, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t dangerous."
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