ないことはない
Meanings
- not impossible
- it's possible
- there is a chance
- within reach; not that it cannot happen
About this pattern
Explanation
ないことはない is a soft way to acknowledge that something is possible or that a negative statement isn't entirely true. It means “it's not that … is impossible,” or “there is a possibility that …,” often used to moderate a stronger claim or to be cautiously optimistic. It can soften a denial or create room for a positive outcome without overpromising. It commonly attaches to verbs in the negative form (V-ない) to express that not achieving the outcome is not necessarily the case, and to phrases that imply feasibility or likelihood in context.
Learn in context
Example sentences
If you study Japanese every day, it's not impossible to speak it.
This problem looks difficult, but if you know the method, it's not impossible to solve.
If he puts in the effort, I think it's not impossible for him to succeed.
If you look it up, you will definitely find the answer.
Keep studying
More N3 patterns
It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X
View detailsIt would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...
View detailsduring; while; throughout; in the process of
View detailswhile; during; between; in the period of
View detailsDuring the period of / while; Before something changes or happens; Within the time when ... happens
View detailsbefore it happens; before doing something becomes true; before it ends/advances; before it’s no longer possible; while still in the state of not ...
View details