Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 7: 3/17

ないものだろうか(Why) can’t, Isn’t there, Wish that, If only

Structure

Verb［できる］［ない］+ もの + （だろう）+ か

Details

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    物

About Verb[ない]もの(だろう)か

When paired with negative expressions, the noun 物(もの) and either the sentence-ending particle か or a combination of だろう and か will indicate that the speaker wishes (A) were possible, but for some reason it is beyond their immediate capacity. This structure may be translated as 'if only (A)', or 'isn't there a way to (A)', but the literal translation is closer to 'I wonder if it really is a thing that can't (A)'.

This grammar pattern will primarily be seen attached to the negated form of verbs, but may also be used in reference to nouns when the ない is being used to indicate a lack of existence of (A), rather than a lack of ability to do (A).

As can be seen in these examples, the polite でしょう may replace だろう.

Additionally, similar structures such as かな or かしら may replace だろうか or でしょうか in more casual conversations.

Examples

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    ダイエットのモチベーションがもっと上(あ)がらないものだろうか。

    Is there no way to raise my motivation more for my diet?

      電気(でんき)自動車(じどうしゃ)の値段(ねだん)はもう少(すこ)し安(やす)くできないものだろうか。

      Can't electric cars's price be a bit lower?

      日傘(ひがさ)はもっと畳(たた)みやすく、そして風(かぜ)に強(つよ)くならないものだろうか。

      Is there no way to make a sun umbrella that is more easily collapsible and strong against the wind?

        人間(にんげん)は食(た)べ物(もの)を食(た)べなくても生(い)きるようにならないものだろうか。

        If only humans could become able to live without eating food.

          ブログ：「詐欺(さぎ)まがいなオンラインショップのことはどうにかならないものだろうか。」

          Blog: 'Can't something be done about the fraudulent online shops?'

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              • Shin Kanzen Master N1 Bunpou

                Page 117

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            Verb[ない]もの(だろう)か – Grammar Discussion

            Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

            • Redglare

              Redglare

              Hi~ I’m a bit confused about the SKM N1 Bunpou resource that is being referred to on this grammar point. It says page 117, but I can’t find anything that resembles もの(だろう)か on this page.

              Am I blind or could there be other versions of this book that I’m not aware of? (I think it’s worth noting that this page doesn’t look like most of the other pages that explains grammar structures which has been referenced by BunPro.)

            • nekoyama

              nekoyama

              It’s actually in the N2 grammar book on page 117 as ないもの(だろう)か.

            • Redglare

              Redglare

              Thanks, nekoyama! You’re right, it was in the N2 book all along, haha.

              @Jake Hi, could you be so kind and update the resource info for us, please?

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