Is "Reading '得ない' as 'うない'" correct?

No. The correct form is "Read it as 'えない'". The correct reading of '得ない' is always 'えない', not 'うない'.

N2Possibility & Probability

V-masu + 得る (うる/える) / 得ない (えない)

Q: Is "Using it for personal ability instead of circumstantial possibility" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use it to describe external circumstances or conditions". This pattern is meant to focus on external circumstances, not personal ability. For example, '私は食べることができる' implies personal ability, whereas 'それは十分にあり______話だ' focuses on external circumstances.

Q: Is "Confusing it with ～ことができる" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use it to express objective possibility, not ability". ～ことができる implies ability, whereas 'V-masu + 得る (うる/える) / 得ない (えない)' expresses objective possibility or probability.

Can; possible / Cannot

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern 'V-masu + 得る (うる/える) / 得ない (えない)' expresses objective possibility or probability. It indicates whether something is possible or not, based on circumstances or conditions. This pattern is often used to describe situations that are not necessarily related to personal ability or capability. For example, 'それは十分にあり______話だ' implies that the conversation is possible or feasible under certain circumstances. The nuance of this pattern lies in its objectivity, focusing on the external circumstances rather than personal ability.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Masu form of a verb	V-masu + 得る (うる/える)	食べます + 得る = 食べます + うる
Masu form of a verb	V-masu + 得ない (えない)	食べます + 得ない = 食べます + えない
Masu form of a verb	V-masu + 得る (うる/える) (with する)	食べます + 得る = 食べることができる

Examples

Example Sentences

それは十分にあり______話だ。

Sore wa jūbun ni ari______ hanashi da.

That conversation is possible.

それは (that) + 十分に (sufficiently) + あり______ (possible) + 話 (conversation) + だ (is)

人間が100メートルを5秒で走ることは、あり______。

Ningen ga hyaku-mētoru o go-byō de hashiru koto wa, ari______.

It is possible for a human to run 100 meters in 5 seconds.

人間が (human) + 100メートルを (100 meters) + 5秒で (in 5 seconds) + 走る (run) + ことは (is) + あり______ (possible)

考え______限りの手はすべて打った。

Kangaeru______ genri no te wa subete utta.

All possible solutions have been considered.

考え______ (possible) + 限りの (limit) + 手 (hand) + は (is) + すべて (all) + 打った (considered)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to express objective possibility or probability, focusing on external circumstances rather than personal ability. It is often used in formal or written Japanese. Be careful not to confuse it with ～ことができる (which implies ability), or using it for personal ability instead of circumstantial possibility.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using it for personal ability instead of circumstantial possibility

Use it to describe external circumstances or conditions

This pattern is meant to focus on external circumstances, not personal ability. For example, '私は食べることができる' implies personal ability, whereas 'それは十分にあり______話だ' focuses on external circumstances.

Confusing it with ～ことができる

Use it to express objective possibility, not ability

～ことができる implies ability, whereas 'V-masu + 得る (うる/える) / 得ない (えない)' expresses objective possibility or probability.

Reading '得ない' as 'うない'

Read it as 'えない'

The correct reading of '得ない' is always 'えない', not 'うない'.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, focus on describing external circumstances or conditions. Be careful not to confuse it with other patterns, and make sure to read '得ない' correctly.

In context