～そうにない (〜sou ni nai)
JLPT N2
Explanation
Express the unlikelihood of something happening; 'not likely', 'doesn't seem'.
Formation
Verb-stem + そうにない / い-Adjective (drop い) + そうにない / な-Adjective + そうにない
Detailed Explanation
The ～そうにない grammar point is used to indicate that something does not appear likely to happen. Often translated as 'doesn't seem like' or 'not likely to...'. Attach そうにない to the verb stem or adjective stem.
Examples
この雨は止みそうにない。
Kono ame wa yami sou ni nai.
It doesn't seem like this rain will stop.
彼が試験に合格しそうにない。
Kare ga shiken ni goukaku shi sou ni nai.
It doesn't look like he'll pass the exam.
この料理がおいしそうにない。
Kono ryouri ga oishisou ni nai.
This dish doesn't look like it will be tasty.
この部屋はきれいそうにない。
Kono heya wa kirei sou ni nai.
This room doesn't seem likely to be clean.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.