Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 7: 21/21

のではないでしょうかI think ... isn't it?, It might be that..., Don't you agree?

Structure

Verb + の(1) + ではない(2)（だろう）か

［い］Adjective + の(1) + ではない(2)（だろう）か

Noun + （なの(3)）+ ではない(2)（だろう）か

［な］Adjective + （なの(3)）+ ではない(2)（だろう）か

(1) ん
(2) じゃない
(3) なん

Details

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About のではないだろうか

のではないだろうか is a fairly long grammar pattern in Japanese that is used when one wants to express their opinion indirectly, in the form of a rhetorical question. Common translations include 'I think it's (A), isn't it?', and 'it might be that (A)'. However, being that this is just a combination of の, ではない 'isn't', だろう 'probably', and か, the literal meaning is simply 'is it probably not that it's (A)'. Just like in English, the elongation of the phrase and not saying anything with certainty makes it sound more modest.

のではないだろうか may be seen following verbs and い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives and nouns when preceded with な. Additionally, でしょう may replace だろう.

This phrase can also be used when seeking agreement from the listener, or when mildly trying to persuade them that your way of thinking may be correct.

Examples

--:--

    彼(かれ)はもしかして、あきれているのではないだろうか。

    I think that he is probably amazed, isn't he? (don't you agree?)

    あそこに見(み)えるのは、虹(にじ)ではないだろうか。

    I think the thing you can see over there is a rainbow, isn't it? (don't you agree?)

    この症状(しょうじょう)、伝染病(でんせんびょう)ではないだろうか。

    With these symptoms, I think it's a contagious disease, isn't it? (don't you agree?)

    この調子(ちょうし)だと、停電(ていでん)が長引(ながび)くのではないだろうか。

    At this rate, I think the blackout will drag on, won't it? (don't you agree?)

    こんなお願(ねが)いをしてしまって、厚(あつ)かましかったのではないだろうか。

    I think it was pretty bold/shameless to make a request like this, don't you agree? (isn't it?)

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のではないだろうか – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    The structure details for this grammar point

    Noun + （なの(3)）+ ではない(2)（だろう）か

(2) じゃない
(3) なん

    indicate nouns can be inflected with なの・なん, but this doesn’t appear to be reflected in the examples, nor accepted in any of the answers I’ve encountered so far. I already reported this previously, but thought I should post here as well to bring attention to this discrepancy.

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey @wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV !

    Sorry for the late response! We have just fixed this so that those answers are accepted!

  • OctopusEvening

    OctopusEvening

    This still appears to be the case or am I doing something wrong?

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