ないでもない
Meanings
- kind of
- might
- slightly
- it’s not (impossible) that
- somewhat
- in some respects
About this pattern
Explanation
ないでもない expresses a mild or tentative possibility. It softens a negative statement, implying that something is not entirely impossible or that there is some likelihood, but it is not strong certainty. It’s often used to hedge opinions or to suggest a nuance like “it’s not that X won’t happen, but….” The speaker is acknowledging a fringe possibility or a glimmer of hope, without committing to it strongly. Typical contexts include discussing plans, possibilities, or evaluations where the outcome is uncertain or borderline.
Learn in context
Example sentences
It's not that he won't come; he might come.
It's not that it won't rain; it may rain.
This plan might succeed.
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More N1 patterns
from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including
View detailsNo matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~
View detailslike; similar to; as if; the same as
View detailsto be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient
View detailsextreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree
View detailsEven though; Even if; Although; Despite
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