JLPT N1・N2 Grammar – The difference between “〜ないでもない” and “〜までもない”
Table of Contents
1. The 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. Comments
Q: What is the difference between “〜ないでもない” and “〜までもない”?
A: Both grammar patterns contain “ない,” but their meanings are quite different.
“〜ないでもない” expresses a reserved or limited affirmative meaning, suggesting that something is not completely denied.
In contrast, “〜までもない” means that there is no need to go that far or do something to that extent.
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
〜ないでもない (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
Not completely ~
Depending on the situation, it may be possible to ~
[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 only to some extent.
⇒ This means that the speaker is not completely unable to drink alcohol and can drink a small amount.
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 do read novels sometimes, but I quickly get sleepy when I do.
⇒ This means that the speaker does not completely avoid reading novels, but does not read them very actively or often.
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 think it might still be fixable. Let me give it a try.”
⇒ This means that fixing the watch is not completely impossible and that there is still a possibility it can be repaired.
〜までもない (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
There is no need to go as far as doing ~
Something can be handled sufficiently in a simpler way
[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.
⇒ This means that the matter is so simple that it is not worth going out of one’s way to explain it.
この小説は本当につまらなかったから、読むまでもありません。
This novel was really boring, so it’s not even worth reading.
⇒ Rather than simply meaning that there is no need to read it, this means that the novel is not worth reading.
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です。
I’m just a little tired, so there’s no need to go to the hospital and get checked.
⇒ This means that the symptoms are mild and not serious enough to require going to the hospital for an examination.
Let’s Compare
The two main differences are as follows:
“〜ないでもない” = It does not completely deny something.
“〜までもない” = There is no need to go that far.
[ないでもない]
“〜ないでもない” uses repeated negation to express a reserved or limited affirmative meaning.
Rather than clearly saying “I can” or “I will,” it conveys nuances such as:
- it is not completely impossible
- it may be possible under certain conditions
- there are situations in which it may happen
It is often used when talking about personal judgments or possibilities.
[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 only about one glass of beer.
⇒ This means that the speaker is not completely unable to drink alcohol and can drink a small amount.
忙しいけど、1時間ぐらいなら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 probably manage an hour, so let’s reserve a meeting room.
⇒ Rather than completely saying that it is impossible, the speaker is giving a reserved affirmative response that suggests it may be possible for about an hour.
[までもない]
“〜までもない” does not simply mean “you don’t have to ~.” It expresses the speaker’s judgment that there is no need to go that far or that something is not serious or important enough to require that action.
It is used when something is not particularly important or serious, or when a simpler method is sufficient.
[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 it.
⇒ This means that the matter is so simple that it is not worth going out of one’s way to explain it.
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 still walk, so there’s no need to go as far as calling an ambulance.
⇒ This means that the situation is not serious enough to require an ambulance and can be handled sufficiently in another way.
Summary
[〜ないでもない]
- Expresses a reserved affirmative meaning: “it is not completely impossible” or “it is not entirely untrue.”
- Indicates that something may be possible depending on the conditions.
- Used when the speaker wants to avoid giving a clear affirmative answer and leave some room for uncertainty.
[〜までもない]
- Means “there is no need to go that far” or “it is not serious or important enough to require that action.”
- Indicates that a situation is not important or serious enough to justify a particular action.
- Can also be used when the situation can be handled sufficiently in another way.
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.
*Since the speaker is not saying that they absolutely cannot eat it, but rather that they could eat it if they wanted to, “ないでもない” is the correct answer.
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 instructions, you’ll understand, so there’s no need to ask the store staff.
*Since the instructions are enough to understand what to do, there is no need to go out of your way to ask the store staff. Therefore, “までもない” is the correct answer.
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. Let’s check the website.
*The speaker is not saying that getting a ticket is completely impossible, but rather that there is still a possibility of getting one. Therefore, “ないでもない” is the correct answer.
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.
*The speaker means that the restaurant is not worth waiting an hour for—in other words, it is not good enough to justify going that far. Therefore, “までもない” is the correct answer.
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