JLPT N1 grammar

〜そうもないmeaning and usage

Meaning

A doesn't look possible; the chances of A are very low

How to form it

  • verb (masu-stem)そうもない
  • verb (masu-stem)そうにもない
  • verb (masu-stem)そうにない

How it is used

After the masu-stem: judging from the situation, the speaker thinks A is very unlikely. The 「も」 makes it more emphatic than 「〜そうにない」. Often used with potential verbs, as in 「行けそうもない」.

Examples

  1. また実験失敗か。この分じゃ今夜は帰れそうもないな。

    The experiment failed again. At this rate, it doesn't look like I'll be able to go home tonight.

  2. 道が渋滞していて、約束の時間に間に合いそうもない。

    The roads are jammed, so it doesn't look like I'll make it on time.

  3. 父は頑固だから、私の意見なんか聞いてくれそうもない。

    My father is stubborn, so it doesn't look like he'll listen to what I think.