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Formation: V-ない form + ことはない; い-adj → 〜くないことはない; な-adj / N + でない（じゃない）ことはない; softer: 〜ないこともない

This double negative gives a partial, hesitant yes: it's not that X isn't so, or X is possible. It usually comes with a reservation, so it is often followed by が or けど and some limiting comment. It is mainly conversational, and the こともない version sounds softer and vaguer. Learners often confuse it with 〜ことはない (there is no need to): 行くことはない means 'there's no need to go', while 行かないことはない means 'it's not that I never go'. Compare 〜わけではない, which denies an assumed conclusion, and the N1 pattern 〜ないものでもない, which is more formal and means something might happen under some conditions.

Variants: 〜ないこともない、〜ないことはありません

Examples

• 刺身は食べられないことはないが、あまり好きではない。
  It's not that I can't eat sashimi, but I don't really like it.
• 今から急げば、間に合わないことはない。
  If we hurry now, we might still just make it.
• 彼の気持ちも分からないことはない。
  It's not that I can't understand how he feels.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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