JLPT N1・N2 Grammar – The difference between “〜なくもない” and “〜ないこともない”
Table of Contents
1. The 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. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. 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 “〜ないこともない” are both double-negative expressions. By using a negative form twice, they become ways of speaking that avoid making a strong or definite statement. Their usage is very similar, but there is a slight difference in nuance. Let’s take a closer look.
〜なくもない (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
It cannot be completely denied
It does not mean “not at all”
[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
[Points]
・Shows that something cannot be completely denied
・A restrained expression that acknowledges “you could say that”
・Suggests that it can be said to some extent, but without stating it too strongly
[Examples]
このせんべいは固いけど食べられなくもないです。
These rice crackers are hard, but they are not impossible to eat.
⇒ They are hard, but it is not that they cannot be eaten at all.
払えなくもないけど、ちょっと高いなあ。
I could pay for it, but it’s a little expensive.
⇒ It is not that I cannot pay, but it is not something I can pay for casually.
忙しくなくもないけど、少しなら話せます。
I’m not exactly free right now, but I can talk a little.
⇒ It is true that I am busy, but it is not that I have no time at all.
この場所は不便でなくもないけど、気に入っています。
This place is not without inconvenience, but I like it.
⇒ It has some inconvenient points, but overall I like it.
〜ないこともない (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
There is some possibility
It may be possible depending on the situation
[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
[Points]
・Shows that there is some possibility
・An expression that acknowledges “you could say that” depending on the situation
・Suggests some difficulty or hesitation, but does not completely deny it
[Examples]
このカレーは辛いけど食べられないこともないです。
This curry is spicy, but it’s not inedible.
⇒ It is spicy, but I can eat it if I try.
映画にはそれほど興味はないけど、見ないこともないよ。
I’m not particularly interested in movies, but I do watch them occasionally.
⇒ I am not very interested, but I do watch them.
忙しくないこともないけど、確認しますね。
I’m not exactly not busy, but I’ll check it for you.
⇒ I am busy, but there is still some room to check.
仕事は大変でないこともないけど、楽しいです。
The job is not without its challenges, but it’s enjoyable.
⇒ It has some difficult aspects, but it is enjoyable.
Let’s Compare
First, when the meaning is “there is some possibility” or “it is not that there is none at all,” there are cases where using either one does not create a big difference.
[Examples]
お酒は飲まなくもないけど、あまり強くないんです。
お酒は飲まないこともないけど、あまり強くないんです。
I do drink alcohol sometimes, but I cannot handle it very well.
⇒ Both express that “it is not that I do not drink alcohol at all.”
Also, when not completely denying a certain feeling or thought, both can be used in some cases.
[Examples]
今の仕事は好きだけど、給料が安いので転職を考えなくもないです。
今の仕事は好きだけど、給料が安いので転職を考えないこともないです。
I like my current job, but since the salary is low, I do sometimes think about changing jobs.
⇒ Both express that “it is not that I am not thinking about changing jobs at all.”
Then, in a situation like the following, which one sounds more natural?
[Examples] (At a mobile phone shop)
客：すみません、携帯を落として、画面が割れたんです。修理できますか。
店員：修理できなくもないと思います。
店員：修理できないこともないと思います。
Customer: “Excuse me, I dropped my phone and the screen cracked. Can it be repaired?”
Store clerk: “I think it might still be possible to repair it.”
“修理できなくもない” is used when the speaker cannot quite say completely that it is impossible, and it has a nuance of softening the negative statement.
On the other hand, “修理できないこともない” suggests that although it seems difficult, it may be possible depending on the conditions, and it conveys the difficulty or uncertainty a little more strongly.
For that reason, in a case like repairing a mobile phone, where it is not easy but there is still a possibility, “できないこともない” often sounds more natural.
On the other hand, when the speaker simply wants to avoid making a complete negative statement, “できなくもない” fits more naturally.
Summary
[なくもない]
- A double-negative expression used to avoid making a definite statement.
- It is used when something cannot be completely denied, or when it is not that there is none at all.
- It is a restrained way of acknowledging something.
[なくもない]
- A double-negative expression used to avoid making a definite statement.
- It is used when something is possible depending on the situation, or when there is a slight possibility.
- It is also easy to use in cases where there is some difficulty or burden.
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. 聞かなくもない
アメリカの音楽は聞かなくもないな。
I do listen to American music from time to time.
*”聞かなくもない” expresses the meaning that “it is not that I do not listen to it at all.”
A. 飲めないこともない
このジュース甘いけど飲めないこともないです。
This juice is sweet, but it’s not undrinkable.
*It expresses the meaning that “it is a little hard to drink, but there is still a possibility that it can be drunk.”
A. 忙しくもない
A：今、お忙しいですか。
B：忙しくもないけどどうしたの。
A: “Are you busy right now?”
B: “Not particularly, what’s up?”
*It becomes a natural response meaning “it is not that I am particularly busy.”
A. やれないこともない
A：この書類、明日までに作れないかな。
B：うーん、作ってみましょうか。やれないこともないと思います。
A: “Can these documents be prepared by tomorrow?”
B: “Hmm, let’s give it a try. It’s not impossible, I think.”
*It means “it is not easy, but there is still a possibility that it can be done.”
Similar Articles
- JLPT N2・N3 Grammar – The difference between “〜に従って” and “〜に伴って”
- JLPT N1・N3 Grammar – The difference between “〜なり” and “〜とたん”
- JLPT N2 Grammar – The difference between “〜に応えて” and “〜に応じて”
- JLPT N1・N2 Grammar – The difference between “〜なくもない” and “〜ないこともない”
- JLPT N1・N2 Grammar – The difference between ”以上” and “手前”
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