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Formation: V-ない + ものでもない (including potential and passive: V-られない + ものでもない)

〜ないものでもない is a cautious double negative that admits a possibility the speaker is hesitant about: 'it's not out of the question that...', 'I might, if...'. It often comes with a condition such as 〜なら, 〜ば or 条件次第では, and when it refers to the speaker's own action it suggests reluctant willingness. The tone is stiff and somewhat formal, found in writing and in careful or slightly old-fashioned speech. Compare 〜ないことはない, which has a similar meaning but is more colloquial and less grudging, and 〜ないでもない, a separate expression that is close in meaning and also admits a slight possibility or feeling ('I do sort of...'). 〜得る states a possibility positively, while 〜ないものでもない only admits a slim or conditional one.

Examples

• 条件次第では、その仕事を引き受けないものでもない。
  Depending on the terms, I might be willing to take that job.
• 今から急げば、終電に間に合わないものでもない。
  If we hurry now, it's not impossible that we'll make the last train.
• 彼の言い分も理解できないものでもない。
  His side of the story is not entirely impossible to understand.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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