Verb[ない]もの(だろう)か
Meanings
- (Why) can’t ~
- Isn’t there ~
- Wish that ~
- If only ~
About this pattern
Explanation
This grammar expresses a hopeful or speculative wish, often used to politely suggest a change, ask for a possibility, or wonder if something exists or could be done. It has a softer, more tentative nuance than direct requests or statements. It can be used to propose ideas, seek alternatives, or lament a situation, usually in conversations, writings, or when proposing solutions. Commonly used with negative verb forms to imply “is there not…?”, “couldn’t we…?”, or “I wish there were…?” It often appears in indirect questions and can carry a nuance of encouragement or polite hesitation.
Learn in context
Example sentences
Isn’t there a good shop around here?
I wonder if there isn’t a more stable income.
Could you contact him for me?
Wouldn’t it be better not to leave it as it is?
I want to finish it by tomorrow. Couldn’t we finish it sooner?
Keep studying
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
View details