Japanese grammar · no level in the source

〜のではないだろうかmeaning and usage

Meaning

I think it might be that A. Shows a softer/indirect way of saying 'I think that A'

How to form it

  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveのではないだろうか
  • noun/な-adjective (stem)なのではないだろうか
  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveんじゃないだろうか

How it is used

States an opinion or guess indirectly, as a question: 'Mightn't it be that…?'. It sounds more reserved than 「〜と思う」 and suits writing or formal speech; casually people say 「〜んじゃないかな」.

Examples

  1. 今日は雨が降るのではないだろうか。

    I think it might rain today.

  2. この問題は、子どもには少し難しいのではないだろうか。

    Isn't this question a little difficult for children?

  3. もう少し早く出発したほうがいいのではないだろうか。

    Wouldn't it be better to leave a bit earlier?