JLPT N3 grammar

〜ないことはないmeaning and usage

Meaning

There is a (small) possibility of A. A is not impossible.

This point is also listed at N2.

How to form it

  • verb (nai-form)ことはない
  • い-adjective (-く form)ないことはない
  • な-adjective (stem)/nounじゃないことはない

How it is used

A double negative, 'it's not that A is impossible': yes, but grudgingly or with doubt, more hedged than a plain yes. Not to be confused with 「〜ことはない」 'there's no need to'.

Examples

  1. 一日に 16 時間続けて仕事はできないこともないが、 全然楽じゃないでしょう？

    It's not that you can't work 16 hours straight in a day, but it's not easy at all, is it?

  2. 急げば、間に合わないことはない。

    If we hurry, it's not impossible we'll make it.

  3. 納豆は食べられないことはないけど、あまり好きじゃない。

    It's not that I can't eat natto, but I don't really like it.