JLPT N1・N2 Grammar – Difference between “〜なくもない” and “〜ないこともない”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜なくもない” and “〜ないこともない”
2. なくもない
3. ないこともない
4. なくもない」・ないこともない
5. なくもないVS ないこともない
6. Summary
7. Quiz
8. Similar Articles
9. Comment

Q: Is there a difference between “〜なくもない” and “〜ないこともない”?

A: “〜なくもない” and “〜ないことはない” are known as double negatives, using two negative forms to express a reluctant affirmation without making a definitive statement.
While their usage is almost the same, there are subtle differences that occasionally emerge.

なくもない (JLPT N1)

[Meaning]
Not 100% the case
It does happen sometimes (not completely nonexistent)

[Rules]　　
[V] Verb Negative form い＋くもない
[A] い adjective い＋くもない
[Na] な adjective＋で＋なくもない

[Examples]　
[V] このせんべいは固かたいけど食たべられなくもないです。
These rice crackers are hard but not inedible.
⇒ It’s hard but it’s not completely inedible. (It’s hard, but you can eat it.)

[V] 払はらえなくもないけど、ちょっと高たかいなあ。
I could pay, but it’s a bit expensive.
⇒ It is expensive but it’s not completely unaffordable. (It’s expensive, but you can pay for it.)

[A] 忙いそがしくもないけど、今いまは休やすめる状況じょうきょうではないよ。
I’m not that busy, but it’s not a good time for a break right now.
⇒ I am busy but taking a break is not completely impossible. However, it’s better not to take one. (I’m busy, but I can take a break.)

[Na] この場所ばしょは不便ふべんでなくもないけど、気きに入いっています。
There are some inconveniences here, yet I like it.
⇒ It’s not that it is convenient, but I do like it. (It’s inconvenient, but I like it.)

ないこともない (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
(Although it’s tough/difficult, if you try hard) it might be possible; there is a slight possibility

[Rules]　
[V] Verb Negative form＋こともない
[A] い adjective negative form＋こともない
[Na] な adjective＋で＋ないこともない
[N] Noun＋で＋ないこともない

[Examples]　
[V] このカレーは辛からいけど食たべられないこともないです。
This curry is spicy, but it’s not inedible.
⇒ It’s spicy, but you can eat it if you try.

[V] 映画えいがに興味きょうみはないけど、見みないこともないよ。
I’m not particularly interested in movies, but I do watch them occasionally.
⇒ I’m not interested, but I do watch it occasionally.

[A] 忙いそがしくないこともないけど、確認かくにんしますね。
It’s not that I’m not busy, but I’ll check on it.
⇒ I’m busy, but I can check if I try.

[Na] 仕事しごとは大変たいへんでないこともないけど、楽たのしいです。
The job is not without its challenges, but it’s enjoyable.
⇒ It’s tough, but it’s enjoyable.

なくもない・ないこともない

Firstly, when it comes to the implication that there is a possibility or that it could happen, using either expression does not make a significant difference.

[Example]
映画えいがに興味きょうみはないけど、見みなくもないです。
映画えいがに興味きょうみはないけど、見みないこともないです。
I’m not particularly interested in movies, but I do watch them occasionally.
⇒ Both indicate that the possibility of watching a movie is not zero.

Additionally, when depicting a situation where things or circumstances are not completely negated, either expression can be used.

[Example]
仕事しごとは大変たいへんでなくもないけど、楽たのしいです。
仕事しごとは大変たいへんでないこともないけど、楽たのしいです。
The job is not without its challenges, but it’s enjoyable.
⇒ It implies that the job is not 100% difficult.

なくもない VS ないこともない

So, in the following situation, which expression would be more appropriate?

[Example] (At a cellphone store)
客きゃく：すみません、携帯けいたいを落おとしちゃって、画面がめんが割われたんです。
　　 修理しゅうりできるでしょうか。
店員てんいん：修理しゅうりできなくもないと思おもいます。
　　　修理しゅうりできないこともないと思おもいます。
Customer: “Excuse me, I dropped my phone and the screen cracked. Can it be repaired?”
Store Clerk: “I think it might be possible to repair it.”
　　　　　 “I think it’s not impossible to repair it.”

Let’s review the meanings. “〜なくもない” implies ‘not 100% the case,’ thus “修理できなくもない” avoids a complete negation of the possibility of repair.

On the other hand, “〜ないこともない” is used when there is a possibility if effort is made. Therefore,
“修理できないこともない” carries the implication that ‘it might be possible, though it could be difficult.’

Since repairing a cellphone does involve some difficulties, in such a scenario, ‘できないこともない – it’s not impossible to repair’ would be more appropriate to use.

Summary

なくもない・ないこともない

• When there isn’t a significant difference in using either expression, it’s in situations where ‘there’s a slight possibility,’ or ‘when avoiding a complete denial of things or situations.

なくもない

• Often used to avoid a complete negation, as in ‘not 100% the case’.

ないこともない

• Often used when there is a possibility if you try hard, especially in situations that involve difficulties.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.