ほど～ない

ほど～ない expresses that something does not reach a certain degree or comparison. It’s used to say “not as ~ as …” or “not to the extent that …” in contexts where you compare two things or scales. It often contrasts with Xほど (as much as X) to downplay the state or quality. Use with adjectives, nouns, or verbs in plain form. In negative sentences, ほど attaches to the main predicate in its negative form. It can convey modesty, caution, or a realistic limitation when stating a comparison. Examples typically involve a person’s ability, a condition, or a situation that is less extreme than another reference point.