GrammarJLPT N3~ないことはない (〜nai koto wa nai)

~ないことはない (〜nai koto wa nai)

JLPT N3

Explanation

Express the idea that 'it's not that it's impossible' or 'it's not that it cannot be done'.

Formation

Verb-ない form + ことはない

Detailed Explanation

The ~ないことはない grammar point is used to express that something is not impossible, or not that it cannot be done. It creates a softer, more indirect way of saying that something is possible or can be done, but not necessarily easy or preferred.

Examples

この問題を解けないことはないが、時間がかかりそうだ。

Kono mondai wo tokenai koto wa nai ga, jikan ga kakari sou da.

It's not that I can't solve this problem, but it seems like it will take time.

彼に会わないことはないけど、あまり話したくない。

Kare ni awanai koto wa nai kedo, amari hanashitakunai.

It's not that I can't meet him, but I don't really want to talk.

この映画を見ないことはないけれど、他の映画がもっと面白いと思う。

Kono eiga wo minai koto wa nai keredo, hoka no eiga ga motto omoshiroi to omou.

It's not that I cannot watch this movie, but I think other movies are more interesting.

その本を読まないことはないが、長いので気をつけてください。

Sono hon wo yomanai koto wa nai ga, nagai node ki wo tsukete kudasai.

It's not that I can't read that book, but it's long, so be careful.

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.