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

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

Details

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About ないことはない

ないことはない is an expression that utilizes either the 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.

By itself, ことはない highlights something that is unneeded, or never happens. This is partly due to the 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.

Antonyms

Related

Examples

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    Ａ(エー)：「浅(あさ)いからここで泳(およ)ごう！」
    Ｂ(ビー)：「浅(あさ)いけど、危(あぶ)なくない事(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.'

    清水(しみず)：「昨年(さくねん)買(か)ったドレスを着(き)たら、どう？」
    木村(きむら)：「着(き)れない事(こと)はないが、少(すこ)しサイズが小(ちい)さいな。」

    Shimizu: 'What about wearing the dress you bought last year?'
    Kimura: 'It's not that I can't wear it, but it's a bit too small…'

    林(はやし)：「怪我(けが)はないか？歩(ある)ける？」
    森(もり)：「歩(ある)いて行(い)けない事(こと)はないんですが、かなりゆっくりですね。」

    Hayashi: 'Are you hurt? Can you walk?'
    Mori: 'It's not that I can't walk, but I'll be quite slow…'

    小川(おがわ)：「ビットコインのことを何(なに)か知(し)ってるの？」
    村上(むらかみ)：「何(なに)も知(し)らない事(こと)はないが、詳(くわ)しくもない。」

    Ogawa: 'Do you know anything about bitcoin?'
    Murakami: 'It's not that I don't know anything, but I am not familiar either.'

    Ａ(エー)：「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(ビー)：「お金(かね)がなくても旅行(りょこう)に行(い)けない事(こと)はないよ。」

    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.'

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