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Expressing possibility, probability, risk, and capability
What each pattern means, when to use it, and the mistakes that cost marks in the exam.
Expresses that something is psychologically or emotionally difficult to do, despite being technically possible. Common with verbs like 信じる, 許す, 想像する, or 納得する. It is not used for physical difficulty.
Common mistakes
Indicates that a certain cause or situation might lead to a bad result. Often used when criticizing someone's behavior or warning of a consequence.
Common mistakes
A polite or formal way to say 'cannot' or 'is difficult to'. Used when the speaker feels hesitant or when a professional refusal is needed.
Common mistakes
A very strong, conversational denial. Expresses the speaker's subjective feeling that something is absolutely impossible.
Common mistakes
Expresses negative intention (1st person) or negative conjecture (3rd person). For Group 2 verbs, both dictionary form + まい and masu-stem + まい are used (e.g., 食べるまい/食べまい). する becomes するまい or すまい.
Common mistakes
Expresses a strong conviction based on some evidence or logic. ～に相違ない is the more formal/written version of this expression.
Common mistakes
Expresses a very strong, often subjective, belief that something is obviously true. It sounds more assertive and less based on objective evidence than ～に違いない.
Common mistakes
Used to express the possibility of something undesirable or dangerous happening. Common in news reports and formal warnings.
Common mistakes
Expresses objective possibility. 'Uru' is the dictionary form, but 'eru' is used when conjugating (e.g., 得ます, 得た). 'Enai' is always used for the negative.
Common mistakes
Adaptive practice
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