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It's not that ... is not / It's somewhat ...
Definition
This grammar pattern is used to convey a cautious or indirect affirmation. It implies that while the affirmative is true to some extent, the speaker is being reserved or polite. The double negative structure, [V-ない / A-くない / Na-でなく / N-でなく] + はない, is used to soften the statement and avoid direct confrontation or strong negation. The nuance of this pattern is often misunderstood as a strong negative, but it actually implies a degree of truth or possibility.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (動詞) | [V-ない] + はない | 彼の言い分も、理解できないが、やはり全面的に賛成はできない。 |
| Na-adjective (形容詞) | [A-くない] + はない | このプロジェクト、リスクはあるが成功の可能性もなくと思う。 |
| Na-adjective (形容詞) | [A-でなく] + はない | 多少の不便さはなくが、ここは静かで住みやすい。 |
| Noun (名詞) | [N-でなく] + はない | このプロジェクトの成功は、多くの人が期待しているが、実現はなく考えている。 |
Examples
彼の言い分も、理解できなくはないが、やはり全面的に賛成はできない。
Kare no i-bun mo, rikai dekinaku wa nai ga, yarikara zenmen-teki ni shōshin wa dekinai.
His argument is not entirely unacceptable, but I still cannot fully agree.
彼の言い分 (his argument) + も (also) + 理解できなくはない (not entirely unacceptable) + が (but) + やはり (still) + 全面的に (fully) + 賛成はできない (cannot agree) + は (is)
このプロジェクト、リスクはあるが成功の可能性もなくと思う。
Kono purojekuto, risuku wa aru ga, seikō no kanōsei mo naku to omou.
I think there is a risk, but I also think that the possibility of success is not negligible.
このプロジェクト (this project) + リスクはある (there is a risk) + が (but) + 成功の可能性もなく (not negligible possibility of success) + 思う (think)
多少の不便さはなくが、ここは静かで住みやすい。
Muzukashii fuben-sa wa naku ga, koko wa shizuka de sumiyoshi.
There is some inconvenience, but this place is quiet and easy to live in.
多少の不便さ (some inconvenience) + はなく (not negligible) + が (but) + ここは (this place) + 静か (quiet) + で (is) + 住みやすい (easy to live in)
Context
This pattern is used to convey a cautious or indirect affirmation in formal or polite language. It is often used in situations where a direct statement might be considered impolite or confrontational. The nuance of this pattern is often misunderstood as a strong negative, but it actually implies a degree of truth or possibility.
Watch out
This pattern is often misunderstood as a strong negative, but it actually implies a degree of truth or possibility.
Na-adjectives and Nouns require でなく instead of なく to form the correct pattern.
This pattern implies a degree of truth or possibility, not a strong negative.
Strategy
Pay attention to the nuance of cautious or indirect affirmation in formal or polite language. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with a direct affirmative statement or a strong negative.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows [V-ない / A-くない / Na-でなく / N-でなく] + はない used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
彼の言い分も、理解できなくはないが、やはり全面的に賛成はできない。
Pattern used: なくはない
Uses the double negative to show partial agreement without fully committing to the statement.
このプロジェクト、リスクはあるが成功の可能性もなくはないと思う。
Pattern used: なくはない
Expresses a reserved but positive outlook that a possibility exists.
多少の不便さはなくはないが、ここは静かで住みやすい。
Pattern used: なくはない
Indicates that while there is some inconvenience, it is not an absolute 'no'.
Interactive
彼の言い分も、理解でき______が、やはり全面的に賛成はできない。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.