JLPT N1・N2 Grammar – Difference between “〜ないでもない” and “〜までもない”

Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜ないでもない” and “〜までもない”
2. 〜ないでもない
3. 〜までもない
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “〜ないでもない” and “〜までもない”?
A: Both of these grammar points include “ない,” but “〜ないでもない” expresses a reserved affirmation, while “〜までもない” indicates low necessity or value. Let’s take a look at each of them.
〜ないでもない (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
It’s not 100% that way
[Rule]
[V] Verb negative form+でもない
[Examples]
実はお酒は飲めないでもないんですよ。
I can drink alcohol, but it’s not something I usually do.
小説は読まないでもないけど、読んでいるとすぐに眠くなってしまいます。
I don’t avoid reading novels, but I quickly get sleepy whenever I do.
A「この時計はもう直せないかな。」
B「うーん、直せないでもないと思う。ちょっとやってみよう。」
A: “Do you think this watch can’t be fixed anymore?”
B: “Hmm, I don’t think it’s completely impossible. Let me give it a try.”
〜までもない (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
There’s no need to do ~
It’s not worth doing ~
[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary form+までもない
[Examples]
こんな子供でも分かること、説明するまでもないですよ。
Even a child can understand this, so there’s no need to explain it.
この作家の小説は本当につまらなかった。お金を払って読むまでもない。
This author’s novel was boring. It’s not worth paying to read.
少し疲れているだけだから病院に行って診てもらうまでもない。
I’m just a little tired, so there’s no need to go to the hospital and get checked.
Let’s Compare
[ないでもない]
Using a double negative results in an affirmative outcome, but it becomes a reserved or hesitant affirmation, avoiding a definitive statement. It is often used to express personal judgment or speculation, meaning “in some cases, it may happen” or “depending on the conditions, it could be possible.”
[Examples]
お酒は飲めないでもないんですが、飲んでもビール一杯ぐらいですね。
I can drink alcohol, but even if I do, it’s just about one glass of beer.
⇒ This means that I’m not completely unable to drink alcohol; I can drink “a little.”
忙しいけど、1時間ぐらいなら会議できないでもないから、会議室を予約しておこう。
I’m busy, but I could manage a meeting for about an hour, so let’s go ahead and reserve the meeting room.
⇒ This suggests that I’m not saying 100% that a meeting can’t be held, but I speculate that at least an hour is possible.
[までもない]
This is not about “not needing to do something” like “〜なくてもいい,” but rather it is used when you want to express the low degree or importance of something, or when another action can sufficiently handle the situation.
[Examples]
こんな簡単で子供でも分かるようなこと、説明するまでもないでしょ。
This is so simple that even a child can understand it, so there’s no need to explain, right?
⇒ It’s so simple that there’s no need to explain.
歩けるんだしわざわざ救急車を呼ぶまでもないです。
You can walk, so there’s no need to go out of your way to call an ambulance.
⇒ It conveys that walking is sufficient, so there’s no need to call an ambulance (you can make it to the hospital).
Summary
[〜ないでもない]
- A reserved affirmation to avoid making a definitive statement.
- It indicates that “in some cases, it may be done” or “depending on the conditions, it is possible,” based on personal judgment or speculation.
[〜までもない]
- Used to express “the low degree or importance of something” or that “the matter can be sufficiently dealt with by other actions.”
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.
A. ないでもない
このクッキー、食べられないでもないけど、残そうかな…。
I could eat this cookie, but maybe I’ll leave it…
*”ないでもない” is the correct answer because it avoids a complete denial, implying “I could eat a little (but I’ll leave it).”
A. までもない
説明書を見ればわかるんだから、店の人に聞くまでもないよ。
If you read the manual, you’ll understand, so there’s no need to ask the store staff.
*”までもない” is the correct answer because reading the manual is enough to handle the situation.
A. ないでもない
今ならまだ飛行機のチケットが取れないでもないと思うよ。一度ホームページで見てみよう。
I think we might still be able to get a plane ticket right now. Let’s check the website.
*”ないでもない” is the correct answer because it speculates the possibility of getting a ticket.
A. までもない
あのレストランは人気らしいけど、そんなにおいしいと思わなかった。1時間も並んで食べるまでもないよ。
I heard that restaurant is popular, but I didn’t think it was that good. It’s not worth waiting an hour to eat there.
*”までもない” is the correct answer because it expresses the low value of waiting to eat at the restaurant.
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