Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 7: 3/18

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)+

Details

  • Formal

  • Rare Kanji

About Verb[ない]もの(だろう)か

When paired with negative expressions, the noun (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()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)値段(ねだん)はもう(すこ)(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(たた)みやすく、そして(かぜ)(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)()(もの)()べなくても()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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          Verb[ない]もの(だろう)か – Grammar Discussion

          Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

          • travv0

            travv0

            <...
          • Asher

            Asher

            Hi there, and thanks for getting in touch! There is real no reason why either ものか or ものでしょうか wouldn’t be accepted here, so I have added them both as alternative answers. In general, as this is just an interchangeable set phrase, pretty much any version would be acceptable in most cases. I would lean more toward using ものでしょうか if the surrounding sentence structure was polite, but that is about the only exception.

          • travv0

            travv0

            Got it, thanks!

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